Saturday, November 24, 2012

Creation Museum and Unplugging



Seven "C's"in God's Eternal Plan - Creation,Corruption,Catastrophe,
 Confusion, Christ ,Cross ,Consumation


As I prepared for drama practice this morning, I realized I hadn't posted my pictures from my trip to the Creation Museum. What am I saying? I hadn't uploaded them to my laptop. Here are some of the better pictures from that day.
Adam and Eve on one of their walks in the garden.
There are signs like this throughout the  path  through the areas.
T
Imagine walking through Noah's Arc.
They have a huge replica of  it that people can walk through.

Because of some commitments with the upcoming Christmas play and the desire to get things done for Christmas,in my home and for my blog,  I will be unplugging from this blog until December 3rd.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Hidden Blessings


Count Your Blessings Month

 

 

“Bind up the testimony and seal up the law among the disciples

I will wait for the LORD, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob

I will put my trust in him.” Isaiah 8: 16-17 (NIV)

 

We have times in our lives that can be defined as difficult. A family member or one close to us becomes seriously ill or receives a diagnosis of a life-threatening disease. We have times when someone needs us to do something ‘right then.’ We have to look for something good inside these circumstances that will allow us to see God in all the tumult and trials of our times.

We find out very early in our Christian walk that we are not immune to the foibles of this world. As we grow in the LORD, we learn that He is there with us at all times.

Let’s face it; we live in a fallen world. Perplexing things will happen to us. But, when we know the Lord, we can look for a tiny ray of hope to help us through.

As an exercise, let’s all think of when we faced a trying time in our lives and reflect on the one nugget of hope that got us through the tribulation. For me, I can think of several. But there is one feature common in each of them, God was there with me.

When we hear of friends who are going through rough days, try to give the suggestion to look for the hidden blessing in all they encounter. It might be a time that the only way this can happen is after the fact, but it there can be at least one-maybe more blessing.

I saw this saying on Facebook: “When you are going through something hard and wonder where God is, remember the teacher is always quiet during the test. Trust  in the LORD.

Monday, November 19, 2012

Blessed by Music


Count Your Blessings Month
image_8.jpg
 

“Praise the LORD.

Praise God in his sanctuary

Praise him in his mighty heavens.

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD”

Psalm 50:1, 6 (NIV)

 

It has been said that music soothes the savage breast. Can we say that hymns to God soothe believer’s hearts? What about the Gospel songs? What about the praise choruses?

A saintly woman of the church explained the difference between a hymn of the church and a gospel song. The former is a song sung to God, while the latter is a song sung about God. As I understand the concept of praise and worship choruses, they help us to prepare our spirits for the act of worship.

I believe that hymns, gospel songs, and praise choruses each bring our hearts and minds to a place of worship and adoration or initiate a change in our hearts.

People have their favorite style of Christian music. In our church’s two Sunday morning worship services, we have a blending of hymns of the church, modern hymns, and praise choruses.

I find a lot of theology in the music of the church. A few years ago, I attended a Holy Week service at one of our sister churches. One of the hymns selected for the evening was unknown to me. The music was written in the 1600s, a very unfamiliar tune. As I listened to the words of each verse, a story unfolded-a beautiful story about Christ and what He had done for us. I re-learned a great lesson.

Do you have a favorite hymn for this time of year? I think you can guess what mine is.

God Alone

  Jesus and the children at our church's prayer walk.          I will both lie down in peace and sleep;  For You alone, O LORD make ...