We get out for Thanksgiving Wednesday at noon, but I only have to teach Monday and Tuesday. Denise works Wednesday and then we hit the road for time with family. Too much time in the car to suit me, but I am fortunate to only be five hours away from my family and to still have my mom around. When we return, Denise and I are going to prepare a big Thanksgiving type meal here. I have the urge to bake a turkey. The smell is required for the holidays.

ScottW or Mike B: My son wants a bass called a Shecter. Tribal bass. Devil model I think. $630. Seems to be made for heavier music than he plays. Got any recommendations on a good “second” bass? He’s playing a beginner’s Ibanez, and it sounds great, but he deserves a better instrument at some point to keep him motivated. Any good ideas?

Eric: Let me chime in really late on the tape ministry discussion. As you know we have tapes at MPC, but that is because I can use the school’s duplicator. You can get into a good small portable sound sound system new for $1000-1500, which- if things grow- will be a very good investment. The duplicator- which will run $500+- is the second component, then buying a lot (1000) of tapes so you get them cheap. Do this in steps. Of course, you need a dedicated and moderately skilled person to take care of all this. It doesn’t run itself and it can’t be done by kids. Piper’s tape ministry was run for years by one retired couple. Last thing I would say is don’t overestimate the interest. If a pastor isn’t a teacher or doing plenty of application, there won’t be much interest. Lots of good messages aren’t the kinds of things people really want to hear again.

Personally, I would invest in a book table ministry and tapes by popular reformed teachers before I went too far into tape ministry. BTW- if anyone ever wants to set up a BHT bookstore through Amazon, you have my blessing. It would be a nice addition.