Our choir started practicing this song this evening. It is a great reminder of the God we serve – He Is the Great I AM!
Month: March 2014
Sunday Night Thoughts
Last Sunday night, we were talking about cold and snow…this morning we were greeted by…you guessed it…snow. It reminded me of a line that we heard in the musical “Narnia” this past weekend. “Welcome to Narnia, where it is always Winter and never Christmas, and especially not spring.” The good news is that it is almost 45 at the moment and will warm up to near 60 tomorrow with some 70’s in the forecast for this week. Soon I will be talking about cutting the grass…which has started turning green, but not as green as it was in South Carolina.
Speaking of South Carolina, we were at Southern Wesleyan University this past weekend for a preview weekend. I can’t believe our youngest is now looking at colleges. James really enjoyed the trip and now we are looking at taking a trip to Indiana Wesleyan in the fall. It will be cool to visit my alma mater.
While one the trip we got to visit Skins Hot Dogs, which is a local Upstate SC chain. It was very good and had a unique atmosphere – and I say that in a good way. If you are ever in the Upstate SC area, you need to check them out.
While at SWU, we also took in the annual musical – which as I already mentioned was a musical adaptation of “The Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe.” The cast did a great job. It was very enjoyable.
What was not enjoyable was the ride home – One particular stretch of highway – from Statesville, NC to Fancy Gap, VA was miserable – stop and start and slow traffic along with rain and fog and general poor visibilty.
We had a great choir rehearsal tonight as we prepare for the Easter season. I’m even hoping our church children join us for a rendition of “God’s Not Dead (Like A Lion)” on Easter morning. We had a great morning of musical worship this morning. The team did a great job and God’s presence could really be felt.
This week returns to “normal.” I’m not even sure what that means anymore. I know it does include 4 runs, since the Park to Park 1/2 Marathon is just 4 weeks away. Tomorrow I plan on a long run of around 13 miles – with another one next Monday at least. I can’t believe how it snuck up on me. Other wise the weather looks great and I am looking forward to some warmer runs over the next few weeks.
That about wraps it up as we are waiting for Rebecca and Michael to get home so we can Skype. Blessings and Pressing On!
Sunday Set List
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Fourth Sunday in Lent
Welcome and Announcements
Call to Worship and Invocation
Psalm 23
Songs of Worship
At Calvary
That’s Why We Praise Him
You Are My All In All
Worship Through Prayer
Songs of Worship
The Old Rugged Cross
In Christ Alone
Worship Through Giving
Worship through God’s Word
Song of Commitment
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
Benediction
Prayer for the Week
Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
A Working LEGO Computer Keyboard
For some fun on a Friday, I thought I’d share this video about someone who made a working computer keyboard made mostly out of LEGO bricks. Enjoy!
The Lord Is My Shepherd
Fourth Sunday in Lent (March 30, 2014)
1 Samuel 16:1-13; Psalm 23; Ephesians 5:8-14; John 9:1-41
The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
forever.
Arguably this is the most well known psalm in the Bible. Many people use it, and understandably so, in times of trouble. A few weeks back we looked at Psalm 121, which is one of my go to Psalms. That being said, this is a great psalm. Several weeks ago, Pam wrote a post about lying down in green pastures and what that means for us as westerners as compared to those in the east. It is amazing how little vegetation constitutes a green pasture in Israel. It is a great reminder that God gives us what we need when we need it. Many times he won’t give us more than we need. We may think we need more, but God knows.
I’ll close with a video that I found on Youtube. I wish I had my senior recital from Indiana Wesleyan University in digital form, because I sang this piece I’m going to share with you. I hope you enjoy Psalm XXIII by Paul Creston. Listen especially how the composer paints a picture in the accompaniment of the text being sung.
A Work of An Artist
“Saint Thomas Aquinas says that art does not require rectitude of the appetite, that it is wholly concerned with the good of that which is made. He says that a work of art is good in itself, & this is a truth that the modern world has largely forgotten. We are not content to stay within our limitations & make something that is simply a good in & of itself. Now we want to make something that will have some utilitarian value. Yet what is good in itself glorifies God because it reflects God. The artist has his hands full & does his duty if he attends to his art.”
Novelist Flannery O’Connor
