The equalizer, “EQ” for short, is a PA component that is quite often misunderstood. Many folks use the EQ strictly to boost the frequencies they like to hear – it can be used for the application, especially when listening to music on your car stereo. But the EQ has much more utility than just bringing out the bass in the music in a live sound application.

Just look at the root word, “equal” – an equalizer is there to create balance throughout the frequency spectrum. It is used by sound techs to attenuate or boost frequencies as required to get the best sound possible for any given room, microphone, and speaker configuration. The EQ is a valuable tool to the sound technician and is used attenuate frequencies that can potentially cause feedback…you know that squealing, rumbling, squawking noise that will rip through your ears. Feedback is not necessarily caused too much gain or volume or proximity of your input source (microphone) and speakers, although those things can contribute. Feedback occurs when there is too much of a specific frequency band introduced on the signal.

There are many in things in our life that compete for our time and attention. We need to have an internal Spiritual EQ to help us filter those “frequencies” that can cause feedback. We are bombarded daily by provocative talk and advertisement that encourage indulging in self-serving lifestyles and activities. We “allow” the television and movie industry to invade our homes and our heads with “world-views” that we simply tolerate and write off as “harmless”.

The Bible teaches us in 1 Corinthians 6:12, "Everything is permissible for me"—but not everything is beneficial….” All “frequencies” are necessary for a full rich sound, but too much of anything will cause you “feedback”. The battleground where Satan has chosen to launch his attack is that of one’s mind. He does not come at us by conventional methods as one might expect an adversary to – he doesn’t punch, bite, or kick in the physical sense. But he does crawl inside our head and attempts to gain control of our mind.

Over the last year I have personally witnessed several awesome musicians and ministers of God’s word. I have seen these artists deliver messages of compassion, hope, love, redemption and salvation that have touched many our patrons. There is one musician that stands out in my mind as one that has truly blessed me personally and his name is Bob Ingle.

Bob Ingle is “big man”. He is large in his physical stature, his hands dwarf the neck on his guitar, but it is heart that is clearly the largest part of his character. Bob is from Excelsior Springs, MO where serves on the worship team at Crescent Lake Christian Center and runs a consultant business (www.bingleconsult.com). I asked Bob how long he had been married to his wife “Flo” he basically told me that he had “formally” married for about 39 years, but they actually celebrate the anniversary of their first date, and have every year since February 22, 1966. Bob and Flo are blessed with two children and two grandchildren.

Bob is a veteran songwriter and musician. He has performed in several bands over the years and does a great job in his solo acoustic show. If you visit NEIGHBORS during the day you will most likely here Bob’s recent solo CD project called “A-Cous-Tic”. This work was produced by Christian blues artists, Jimmie Bratcher (on the NEIGHBORS schedule on May 26, 2006) and recorded locally at Awestruck Studios (www.awestruckstudios.com) operated by Larry Gann.

Besides his solo projects, Bob Ingle also plays in a Christian – country/rock/blues band called “The Grateful Saved”. This band is made up several talented area musicians and has also recently been added to the NEIGHBORS performer list. Learn more about “The Grateful Saved” at www.thegratefulsaved.com.

Bob’s style and delivery is definitely controlled by a divine “Equalizer”. His ability to connect with relevant musical/lyrical content is only rivaled by his real-life story telling abilities. Bob is one of the guys that you could just listen to for hours. In the 1980’s and early 1990’s, Bob, Jimmie Bratcher and The Grateful Saved drummer Kenny Price all played in a band called “Unction”. I had to look the word up, but Webster’s defines “unction” as, “the act of anointing”. Bob is anointed.

Every conversation I have had with Bob has ended with him saying, “Be blessed!” Well, I have been and I am every time I get around this man. You will not want miss him when he is performing at NEIGHBORS.

In March 2006, NEIGHBORS in Smithville celebrated its one year anniversary. I am here to testify that the stresses and struggles of opening a family-owned and operated business provide fertile ground for the devil to attack one’s thought life. Everyone has a similar story to tell. We all have temptations and struggles that wrestle for control of our mind. Left unchecked, unbalanced and unfiltered these things will get the best of us.

I recently read this statement, “Temptation usually comes through a door that has been deliberately left open.” (unknown) Have you adjusted your EQ to attenuate those things in life that cause “feedback”? What have you allowed to enter you mind unfiltered? It’s time to adjust your EQ – write God’s word on your heart, find a partner that you trust to hold you accountable, and in the words of Bob Ingle, “Be blessed!”

Visit www.neighborscoffeehouse.com for a complete list of performers.