Prayer request

Helen Patterson is a good friend. I met her over three years ago through my small group at church. She's an eighty-one year young ornery spitfire who can talk and cook up a storm. She went into the hospital last week. They put off surgery hoping she could get better without it. I stopped in the last two days only to find her peacefully sleeping. Thinking she needed her rest, I left. I went back today to find her gone. Panicked, I ran for the nurses station to find she was in Intensive Care from post surgery. How awful! They let me in to see her. She was aware I was there, but was too weak to speak. They say she will be okay. She will have a long recovery. Pray for her. She's so special.

Twas the Night Before Jesus Came

I'm happy and honored to say I have permission to reprint this thought provoking poem:

Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house
Not a creature was praying, not one in the house.
Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care
in hopes that Jesus would not come there.
The children were dressing to crawl into bed
not once even kneeling or bowing a head.
and Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap
was watching the late show while I took a nap.
When out of the East there arose such a clatter
I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash
tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
but angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.
With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray
I knew in a moment this must the THE DAY!
The light of His face made me cover my head.
It was Jesus! returning just like He had said.
And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth
I cried when I saw Him is spite of myself.
In the Book of Life which He held in His hand
was written the name of every saved man.
He spoke not a word as He searched for my name,
when He said, "It's not here," my head hung in shame.
The people whose names had been written with love
He gathered to take to His Father above.
With those who were ready He rose without a sound,
while all the rest were left standing around.
I fell to my knees, but it was too late.
I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate.
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight.
Oh, if only I had been ready tonight.
In the words of this poem the meaning is clear.
The coming of Jesus is drawing near.
There's only one life and when comes the last call
we'll find that the Bible was true after all!

Used with permission by the Author 12/18/08

Dear Anonymous

I'd love to see your item. How do I get you my email without publishing it?

Thanks

Dear Anonymous
Thank you for telling me who the author of the poem "Twas the Night before Jesus". I see there is a copyright on it. Out of respect to the author I will remove the poem until/unless I get permission to use it. I accidently deleted your comment. Could you tell me who that was again so I could give them credit and contact them? Thanks again.

What's your worship style?

My son, Kevin, is a big fan of You tube. He enjoys funny videos, but he also likes to watch New Pointe videos. Apparently the motor cross video created quite a controversy with viewers. Motorcycles and rock-n-roll music in the service offended some. Kevin tried in vain to sway one person toward his view that rock-n-roll is okay. He or she didn’t buy it.

Wanting to keep an open mind, I’m pondering the situation myself. Do you suppose God is offended by the sour notes of a child attempting to sing, “Jesus loves me, this I know….?” Or, is he pleased at the sincerity to worship Him no matter what the sound, or style of music, or how loud it is.

Ideally during service at any church no matter what kind of music is playing the congregation should be in true worship, focusing heart and soul on how awesome God is, how our God created the whole universe, yet knows every hair on our head and singing praises to Him and only Him.

While all this is going on, I’ll just bet there are a few in any congregation at any church during any style of music thinking, “Wow, the music is great.” Every Sunday the Holy Spirit convicts me of this. Let’s face it. We’ve been blessed with some serious musical talent at New Pointe, but if I’m thinking about anything other than the God I am trying to worship, does it really matter what style of music is playing? True worship comes from the heart of the individual who, while singing, is totally focused on his/her Creator. I don’t believe the style of music makes any difference.

Picture in your mind a small country church with stained glass windows, hymn-books, wooden pews, and a choir. The style of music is traditional, conservative. Sons and daughters are singing in the choir. During the worship service Mom and Dad might be a bit puffed up about their kids in the choir rather then focusing on God. The music is not rock-n-roll, but what’s the object of their worship?

Really listen to the words from “Beautiful Letdown” or “On Fire” by Switchfoot. It makes me sad to think that anyone could be offended by those words just because their genre is rock-n-roll.

No matter what the genre of the music at New Pointe, the words to the music they choose always glorify God. I will be there come Sunday and will sing those words to my God as I focus my thoughts on Him. For a moment my thoughts will wander. I will think how great the music is. The Holy Spirit will nudge me back into focus. He’s so gracious about my failings.

I think it grieves the Holy Spirit when we criticize other’s worship style. It makes His job more difficult. When the unsaved hear us taking shots at each other, it just gives them reason to not want to be a Christian. I don’t want to be responsible for prolonging anyone’s decision to be saved.

Back In Business

Okay. I haven't felt like blogging. I haven't really had the time lately. I found a good reason for a post. The K through 4th grade Velocity classes at New Pointe have been challenging the kids to memorize the books of the bible. A few girls in my class have succeeded at half the Old Testament. They are getting bored. I am attaching a link to a word search puzzle to help get them interested again. Here is the link to the Old Testament puzzle.
http://www.biblestudygames.com/biblegames/wordsearchpuzzle/game8.htm
Here is the link to the New Testament puzzle.
http://www.biblestudygames.com/biblegames/wordsearchpuzzle/game9.htm

Blessings Girls
See you next Sunday