The greatest joys in my life are in this order:  my relationship with Jesus Christ; my wife Dinah; my sons, their wives, and my grandchildren; my parents; and my church family and dear friends.

After that comes: steam locomotives, photography, OSU football, and the OSU Marching Band.

When I was in high school I played baritone horn and dreamed of playing in the best darn band in the land.  I have most of the OSU band’s CD’s and absolutely LOVE last year’s half-time shows.  Watch the OSU-Penn State half-time show and you will see what I mean – it might be THE best ever!

OSU recently completed an internal investigation of the marching band and its leadership and found many sordid (to say it politely) activities have been going on for a LONG time. The present director was fired for knowing about these things and not effecting change fast enough (to say the least) and for being a participant in some of these activities.  If you want to know more – read the 20+ page OSU internal report.  But let me warn you: the report talks about stuff that will assault your senses and your sense of how far the culture has fallen.

I’m very disappointed.  Actually, I’m more disgusted than disappointed.

Yes, I know we have to keep our eyes on Jesus and not on people – but once again we are reminded that someone or some entity (like the OSU band) can perform admirably in public and have a very dark side. I pray there will be lasting change to the band and the many lives it influences.

May our private and public lives be the same!

Blessings!

Pastor Mark