Category: Friend

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God Bless You, Go With God

“Better than I deserve…”, grew to be the expected response after a greeting to and from Dr. Stan Mitchell. It didn’t matter where you were or what you were doing, you were always greeted with an ear-to-ear smile from, in my opinion, the schools’ most ‘social butterfly’. He seemed to be just about everywhere you looked. Sometimes sitting with a group of students just talking and laughing in the library or student center, getting some coffee, walking to class with students, getting more coffee, in his office talking with his students, or walking alone to class…with a cup of coffee in hand. He was never without a compliment to give or a wise word to impart.

Upon hearing of his sudden hospitalization earlier this past weekend and of his passing early this morning, I could not help but think back on many of my “Stan” interactions. There were many times I would pass him in the student center while checking my mail or grabbing a quick lunch, and he’d be on his way through to a class or to check his faculty mail, and without fail, I was ALWAYS greeted with a, “Miss Emili!” and a HUGE smile. I remember specifically one time going to his office (unfortunately, one of the things I didn’t do as often as I wished I had) a short time before my, now, husband and I began dating. Stan had told me a few weeks before I went to see him, that I was welcome to his office, and his chocolate, anytime I liked. I confided in him about being lonely and how I just wasn’t feeling like I was good enough (in the regard of having never been dated or even asked out) and that I didn’t know what was wrong. I do not think I have ever been cut off so quickly and I don’t ever recall him being as stern, and as serious, with me as he was. I’ll never forget what he told me, “Miss Emili, you are wise beyond your years. There is nothing about you that is wrong or messed up (he did air quotes around “messed up”). You’re just further on than any man that’s had the pleasure of meeting you so far. Give him time, he’ll catch up to you.” He said a prayer with me after that and sent me off with a piece of his Ghirardelli chocolate. A few weeks after Thanksgiving he found out that I was dating and, in his words, said, “He must be a nice young fellow,” and told me he was happy that I had found a man who could “keep up with me.”!

Dr. Mitchell has played such an incredible role in the lives of all the students, past and present, and I honestly could not imagine my FHU experience without him in it. Several of my classes at FHU I had taken with Brother Mitchell. I was visiting with a friend of mine this morning, and we got to reminiscing about taking one of his classes that we took together our freshman or sophomore year. He always started out his classes with a song and he always remarked on the rather strong alto voices he could pick out (meaning my friend and me). Without fail, we could always count on him picking a song with a strong alto lead or supporting part.

He provided us with a TON of wonderful memories, as well as advice. I believe I can speak for most Freed-Hardeman students/alumni when I say that in some way shape or form, Dr. Stan Mitchell had an impact on us. If you never had the opportunity to meet Dr. Mitchell, I am so sorry for what you missed out on. He was a ‘modern day’ Barnabas. The kind of encourager that, as Christians, we aspire to be; but not just that, he was a spiritual GIANT with a heart so big there’s no possible way to measure it.

One of the last things he would say in his classes was, “God bless you, go with God,” and I don’t believe his departure from this world could be more fitly summed up.

Stan, I believe with all my heart that today you rest in paradise. I believe that all the people you had met and all those students who you blessed with your smile will carry on with the sweet, simple thought of being blessed more than they deserve just for simply having known you. I will thank the Lord every day for allowing me to be able to sit at your feet and learn from your wisdom and experience. You will be missed but not forgotten. For your family and those who are left to carry on in your absence, this is my daily prayer…God bless you, go with God.

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Good Morning, Lord!

sun rise“Well I’m up in the morning and I’m feeling OK…Don’t want the devil to get in my way so I’m down on my knees and I’m starting to pray, ‘Good Morning, Lord!’ Good morning, Lord! Send a little sun(son)shine down my way. Good morning, Lord! I just want to live for you today.”

Earlier this month I was honored to worked with more than 20 young people (JH/HS & College) at the 1st Annual Ark/La/Tex Singing Camp  in central Louisiana. With the combined talents of Andy Singing CampBaker, Benjamin Bruce and our camp director Doyle Bruce the young men were taught more than just how to read shape notes and understand music theory. We imparted a working knowledge that embraced the responsibility of leading singing and bringing the congregation closer to honoring and glorifying God. The young ladies were directed by Katheryn Baker, Kristy Huntsman and Emili Bruce.

When we consider our opportunity and obligation to sing and teach singing, we come closer to knowing how GREAT our God really is. We come to appreciate the vast debt we owe for the hope we have in this life and in the life to come. But when it comes to trying to understand that debt and how I should live in response to God’s great gift, we start by looking at the first chapter in the book of Psalm. Thanks, Andy, for taking us through this psalm as we sang and learned how to live for our God!

“Blessed is the mantree by the river
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and in His law he meditates…day and night.

He shall be like a tree
Planted by rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.

Godly man…PARALLELED…with the Ungodly man

The ungodly are not so
But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.

Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the congregation (family) of the righteous.

For the Lord knows the way of the righteous
but the way of the ungodly…shall perish (shall not last).”

Make plans to join us next summer, but in the mean time let me encourage you with these words from Andy Baker…

“Spend time in the Son (sun),
Spend time in the Scripture and
Spend time in Self-Refection.”

 

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A Time of Transitions

In the summer of 2002 more than 30 high school freshman and sophomores along with several adult sponsors from Texas came to Colorado to conduct a Vacation Bible School. Though we didn’t know it at the time, that was the beginning of a relationship that would last for the rest of our lives. When the group came back the following year, the summer of 2003, they helped our family pack and move from the Windsor church of Christ to work and worship with the Waterview church of Christ in Richardson, Texas. Thirteen years later we find ourselves, again, at a point of transition. Words fail me to express how much the brothers and sisters at Waterview have meant to my family and me. telephone

Few know that in the late spring of 2002, Jim Stigers called my father-in-law, Jim Knight for the sole purpose of finding a small congregation where the Waterview youth group might go to conduct a VBS. Their original plans had been to go to Nebraska, but due to some complications, the youth was without a mission point for the summer of 2002. My father-in-law, one of the leaders at the small, Colorado congregation, was glad to visit with his old high school friend and welcome the group to Colorado. Jim Stigers, one of the Waterview elders, read the following announcement, and perhaps there was no one was better suited to do so.

The following was announced on Sunday, July 24th:

“The future of Waterview church of Christ is bright! Jason Moon has just completed his first full year as the pulpit minister. Robert Oglesby, Robert Taylor, Warren Shepherd and Dustin Jones have forged a team that not only has welcomed Jason, but now Greg Parks into the ministerial service at Waterview. They work with the elders and deacons to set goals and objectives that reach heavenward…literally. Only the Lord knows how many families will continue to be blessed by Waterview church of Christ as they serve, grow and mature in Christ.

For the past 13 years, the Bruce family has been a part of the fabric of love and devotion, courage and faithfulness established by decades of faithful elders and solid preaching found here. In January 2015, Myron stepped away from full-time ministry but continued, on a part-time basis, striving to lead our hearts and minds toward a clearer, more focused worship to God. That has been and always will be his mission. But this morning, we need to inform you that the Bruce’s have announced that they will be moving from Plano and the Waterview church of Christ to live in Wichita Falls. He will continue to lead our Sunday morning song service until August 14th, but then will be making the transition to Faith Village in Wichita Falls where they will continue to work and worship.

16“In the spring of 2003, Vicki and I, with our three children (Logan…9, Emili…8 and Dillon…5) began a journey from the comfort of Colorado and the Windsor church of Christ, to the Dallas metro-plex joining Waterview as the Congregational Life Minister. We didn’t really know anyone, but over the years, have grown to love everyone. Now thirteen years later, we can’t begin to “Count Our Many Blessings.” The joy of raising our family to serve and worship God with this body of believers makes this day very difficult. To us, you are more than just a member at Waterview. You are, and forever will be, our brothers and sisters in Christ!  

These next few weeks we will be packing up boxes and take pictures off the walls. But more importantly, we’ll be storing up the memories and reflecting on the years God has given us with you. Raising our children in the shadow of this congregation is something we will never forget! With a common love, we have grown close to each of you!

The old hymn writer said it best, “When we asunder part, it gives us inward pain; but we shall still be joined in heart, and hope to meet again.” However, God’s word expresses our deepest emotions. In Numbers chapter 6, God spoke to Moses telling him to instruct his brother, Aaron, with the following: “Thus, you shall bless the sons of Israel. You shall say to them: ‘The Lord bless you, and keep you; The Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace!’.”

We love you and thank you for blessing our life!”

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Do You Believe in the Church?…April 26th

Have you heard the phrase, ‘Talk is cheap?’ Simply translated, ‘actions speak louder than words.’ On a personal level, if I tell you to call whenever you need something, but refuse to answer your call when it’s not convenient (like say around 3:00 in the morning) isn’t that just cheap talk?  In the same manner, if we proudly claim our church family on Sunday morning, but don’t associate with our brothers and sisters on Friday night, our actions are speaking loud and clear? Or, do we believe enough in the church that we’ll sacrifice our time for them? We might say (and sing) all the right words, but how would our life look if we really ‘believed’ in the church Christ died for?Believe

The true test of how much you believe in something can’t be found in your words alone. What we believe in (value) can be seen in how much time, energy and interest we give to its success. In short, how much you trust in something is determined by how much you are willing to sacrifice for it. How much did God ‘believe’ in the church? Enough to have His Son die for her! Each of us would do well to take a look at how much time and energy (yes, even money) we are willing to give to this same church. Then ask the question, ‘How much do I believe in the church?’

“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.”  I Corinthians 14:15

Sunday morning, April 26, 2015

The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.

“For the Beauty of the Earth” – 67

What a great opening for Sunday morning’s service. As you consider the glory of God, what reasons can you find to praise Him? In 1864, Folliot Pierpoint offered these ideas. For the beauty of the earth, the sky, and each hour of the day or night; for the church that continually ‘lifteth holy hands.’ (See I Timothy 2:8) If for no praise Godother reason, these things call on us to say, “Lord of all, to Thee we raise this our sacrifice of praise.”

“Doxology” – 66

“Praise God from Whom all blessing flow!” The Old Hundreth dates back to the mid 1500’s with words that were penned in the early 1700’s. How could something so ancient still be sung and recognized here in the 21st Century? Possibly because some things never change. Things like…God will always be praised!

 

“When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” – 315

Let’s sing this song before the Lord’s Supper and break it up into three different sections. Verse 1 & 3, verse 2 & 4 and conclude with verse 5. Notice the power of the message. “When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died, my riches gain I count but loss and pour contempt on all my pride. See, from His head, His hands, His feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down. Did e’er (ever) such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown?” Then verses 2 and 4, “Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, save in the death of Christ, my Lord. All the vain things that charm me most I sacrifice them to His blood. His dying crimson, like a robe, spreads o’er (over) His body on the tree. Then am I dead to all the globe, and all the globe is dead to me.” Thanks to Isaac Watts we can survey the cross of Christ more vividly as we consider our Savior’s sacrifice for the church.

“I Believe in Jesus” – 356

Do you believe in the church Jesus died for? If you don’t believe His word, you’ll never be able to believe in Him. This spiritual song has one scriptural reference after another. From the day He stilled the storm on the Sea of Galilee to the morning He woke Lazarus from His deathly slumber. Do you believe the blind could see and the deaf could hear? Do you believe He died on Mount Calvary only to leave behind an empty tomb? Do you believe He’s the answer…do you believe in His church?

“The Church’s One Foundation” – no book

Blending the words from Samuel Stone in 1886 with the musically arrangement of George Webb in 1837, we have an all-time favorite when it comes to describing the Bride of Christ, the Lord’s church. “The church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord. She (the church) is His new creation, by water (baptism) and the word (the gospel of salvation). From heaven He came and sought her to be His holy bride, with His own blood He bought her and for her life He died.”cornerstone

“Live for Jesus” – 594

Perhaps this isn’t your typical invitation song, but what a great call for the church to live a life for Christ. To be His disciple and stop wandering in sin. Living for Jesus means following His example and giving Him all you have.

“How Firm a Foundation” – 457

It’s been said if you really mean it, repeat it. And if you really want to get your point across, say it a third time. I’ve heard it said if you want to have someone over for supper and they turn you down, ask them again. If they still say no, ask them a third time. Perhaps three is a charm. Whether or not that was on the mind of the one who penned this hymn, repetition is utilized in the last verse of this song. But have you noticed Who is speaking? “The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose (rest), I will not, I will not desert to his foes. That soul, tho all hell should endeavor (try) to shake, I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.” God believes in the church and He will not turn us out. But what about you, do you believe in the church?

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Mary’s Song…Luke 1

Do we realize how powerful our words can be? We hear the saying a lot, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me…” But in all honesty, that is not true, and I speak from experience. The words that we speak on a daily basis can either bring someone’s spirit up or down. Even the experiences that we have and participate in can have a positive or negative effect on our attitudes and actions. In Luke 1, we read the account of when the angel of God came to Mary and told her that she would bear God’s Son. Most of the time we focus on her final reply, “Behold, I am a bond slave of the Lord; may it be done to me Mary's songaccording to your word.” If we put ourselves in that situation, in Mary’s position, would we respond the same? As we read the chapter, we see that Mary goes to visit her cousin Elizabeth who was six months pregnant at the time. Shortly after arriving and receiving blessings from her cousin, she begins to pour out her heart to the Lord about her situation. What she says, or sings, in this passage is known to many as Mary’s song or in some circles today it is known as Magnificat.

When I was asked to write my thoughts about this song, I had no idea how I was going to begin. To start, I talked with my roommate about the different aspects and approaches that I could use. As a student at Freed-Hardeman University, and a member of the Chorale, I decided to ask some of my peers their perspective of this hymn. Breaking it down verse by verse, I asked them about a few questions;
1) what thoughts ‘spoke’ to them in the verses,
2) on a personal level, how are they affected by the song, and
3) how could this hymn affect them in their own spiritual life.
Here are a few of their responses…

Soprano: “My soul magnifies the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, my soul magnifies the Lord, my soul rejoices in God!”
– “This part makes me feel like it is my soul magnifying. It feels like there is a deeper part of my being that is being pulled out of me…It’s almost like it is out of my conscience self.” -Leila M.
– “It’s VERY powerful, and it is a simple message that our souls cannot help but rejoice for God being just what he is…” Caleb. H

Bass: “Glory be to God the Father, and Glory be to God the Son, Glory be to God the Spirit, Glory be to God.”
– “My dad sings this part, the bass, of the song so I hear him sing it a lot in church… It is the simple glorification that sets the basic tone for the song as a whole. The other themes in the song are based off this verse… “Glory be to God…” Unfortunately, we don’t have Mary’s perspective, but we can take it as surrendering our all to God on a daily basis…” – David. C

Alto: “He has been mindful of his servant, He has been mindful of me, I will be blessed forever, forever, I will be blessed by the Lord.”
– “No matter how much we sin, the Godhead (The Father the Son and the Holy Spirit), will still receive us (bless us) forever…FOREVER!” -Michal V.
– “This verse I think represents her praises to the Lord for finding favor in her and for giving her the great gift of bearing the Son of God. I personally feel most connected to this verse because Mary is rejoicing in the great news of the Son and now we can too. God really was watching out for us when He gave us Jesus, knowing that we would all die in our sin without Him. It is because we have Jesus we will be blessed forever and ever by our Lord. This is a song of praise, it is a song we use to show God how we feel about His glory, might, and his indescribable gift.” (2 Cor. 9:15) -Zack G.

Tenor: “God alone is mighty, mighty, our God alone has done great things, God alone is worthy, worthy, Holy is His name!”
– “When I think of these phrases, I see/think of God looking down from Heaven and the clouds rolling… And I think, ‘He has the power to do whatever He wants, and He can do, He has done, such wonderful things. He deserves to be praised and worshiped.’” -Mikayla T.
– “It is a description of His power, and He doesn’t need anyone with Him to help Him to be able to display it. I imagine that I will not have the same emotion as Mary, but when I have children I consider that a blessing. When we aren’t planning on it, God will allow something extraordinary and impossible to happen in our lives and we need to not just be prepared for that time. We need to be watching for it as well, just like Mary.” -June W.
– “‘God alone is mighty,’ this really speaks to me because He is the only one who is mighty… He created the world and we cannot really compare anything to Him. I think that we as Christians could be less prideful because we are not as good as we think we are, and God is and always will be better than we are or ever will be.” -Kyllian M.


As I was listening to my friends’ responses, I couldn’t help but be impressed with the thoughts and ideas they were sharing. Listening to this song I typically follow the alto line, but as I sat and listened to it recently, it made me realize something. Through every trial, tribulation, grief or joy our God blesses ME! That hit me like lightening. It dawned on me that no matter what I do or how far I stray, as a baptized believer in God’s church I will always be on my Father’s mind and He will always care for me. Not only does He care for me He cares about all Emili...sophomore yearof His children and He will bless us as long as we honor, worship, follow and praise Him.

Thanks to my daughter Emili for her time and energy in pulling these thoughts together. May our soul indeed, “Magnify the Lord!”

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Memory: Friend or Foe?…Jan. 11th

Memories…flood the corners of my mind, or at least how the song goes. But do our memories serve to Memoriesinspire us or haunt us? Age and sickness have a way of displacing some of our fondest memories. That is discouraging when we think of all the good times we’ve had, but perhaps that’s not such a bad thing when we think about our failures.

Sometimes we’d like to forget some things, and thanks be to God…He will. In reference to the ‘new covenant’ in Jeremiah chapter 31, God makes this declaration; “I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. They will not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them,” declares the Lord, “for I will forgive their inequity, and their sin I will remember no more.” What a blessing to know that even with all my faults, sins and shortcomings…my God doesn’t remember them.

“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.” I Corinthians 14:15

Sunday morning, January 18, 2015

You’ll notice the following songs come from the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.

“Hallelujah! Praise Jehovah” – 3

Opening our service together we praise Jehovah…singing, as it were, Psalm 148!

“How Deep the Father’s Love” – no book

A contemporary song that poetically walks us through the hours of Christ crucifixion. From the time ‘the Father turns His face away’ (Matt. 27:46), to the final words of Jesus, ‘I know that it is finished.’ (John 19:30) We find power in singing the truth…‘His wounds have paid my ransom.’

“Living for Jesus” – 676

Just the chorus as we sing between the bread and the fruit of the vine, “O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give my life to Thee. For Thou in Thine atonement didst give Thyself for me. I know no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne. My life I give hence forth to live…O Christ for Thee alone.” Do we…will we act on this pledge?

“Though Your Sins Be as Scarlet” – 501isaiah-1-18

An old spiritual song that speaks the message of this morning’s lesson…“He’ll forgive your transgression and remember them no more…” What a blessing that He forgives and forgets, but do we?

“Does Jesus Care” – 507

Does Jesus care when my heart is pained too deeply for mirth (happiness/laughter) and song…” Our chorus answers that question with a resounding “O yes, He cares…”

“I Bring My Sin to Thee” – 917

If God will forgive AND forget my sins, what would hinder me from bringing my sins to Him? Especially consider, as the song goes, we have too many sins to even begin to count!

“Jesus is All the World to Me” – 590

How much does it mean to you when someone cares enough about you to not only forgive you, but never hold your transgression against you? Someone who forgives and forgets. Perhaps that’s why we sing, “Jesus is all the world to me my life, my joy, my all.” A true friend is one who doesn’t hold a memory of your wrongs. That’s why…“He’s my friend.”

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Three Times a Year You Must Go to Church…Dec. 28th

Norman Rockwell...going to churchAs a child I remember hearing (probably asking), ‘Are we going to church today?’ A simple question from a simple mind. Each and every Sunday morning my family would get up and drive into town to meet with our church family for worship on the first day of the week. Notice, I said ‘every Sunday morning.’ This wasn’t something we did every now and again, or only on Christmas and Easter. And we didn’t go just to satisfy some check list. But isn’t that exactly what many tend to do today? Even if we go to worship God every week, many are just satisfying a need to ‘go to church.’  

Maybe we should consider why we do what we do. Is there a reason we go each Sunday morning? Especially in the light of scripture when we read God’s command to the Israelite men in Deuteronomy 16:16, “Three times a year all your men must appear before the Lord your God at the place He will choose: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks and the Feast of Tabernacles.” So maybe there’s justification in just going to church to fulfill a check list and satisfy a need. After all, don’t some translate the text above to say, ‘Three times a year you must go to church…’?

“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.”  I Corinthians 14:15

Sunday morning, December 28, 2014

The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.

“We’re Marching to Zion” – 869

Notice the call that sounds forth in the first few lines of this spiritual song, “Come, we that love the Lord, and let our joys be known…” What joys are you singing about and why do you want them to be made known? We’ve sung this song for years, but read it again without the musical repetition; “…join in a song of sweet accord and thus surround the throne. Let those refuse to sing who never knew our God, but children of the heavenly King may speak their joys abroad. (Are you a child of the King…will you sing?) The hill of Zion yields a thousand sacred sweets, before we reach the heavenly fields or walk the golden streets. Then let our songs abound and every tear be dry, we’re marching through Emanuel’s ground to fairer worlds on high.” Another old song might say, “This world is not my home, I’m just a passin’ through.”

“More Precious Than Silver” – 273more precious than silver

What do you cherish? What do you value in this life? We invest in gold and silver because we find security in their worth. An old adage goes something like, ‘Diamonds are a girls best friend.’ Many of us put our hope and trust in what we can put our hands on (or what we can put on our hands). But the song we’ll sing before the contribution simply states that we will put our trust, hope and desires in our God. Not in silver, gold or diamonds .

“As the Deer” – 71

This song comes directly from the text as we read the words of the psalmist; “As the deer pants for the water so my soul longs after You…” But do we truly LONG for God? We have a good share of silver, gold and (for some) diamonds… we’re not longing, much less panting, for anything else. Yet many can’t see just how close to death they really are. This video is from a newer version of the same text, and although we’ll be singing the music by Martin Nystrom, Dennis Jernigan’s arrangement is one to be learned.

“O Come Let Us Adore Him” – 264

Taken from the popular ‘Christmas’ song written in the mid-1700’s, the chorus is a constant reminder that we should not only adore our King, but give Him all the glory and all our praise forever. And if anyone asks why…“For He alone is worthy!”

“Surround Us, Lord” – no book

Nothing is more comforting than knowing we’re surrounded by friends and family. Perhaps that is why God has given us the church. Our church family is an extension of our being surrounded by Him, His love, in the absence of our earthly family. The psalmist wrote in the 106th Psalm, “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people.” There is comfort in knowing we’re not alone, unless of course you only meet with God’s family two or three times a year…

“Worthy Art Thou” – 230

Before our lesson this morning, we sing together as we praise our God singing, “Worthy of praise is Christ our Redeemer, worthy of glory, honor and power! Worthy of all our soul’s adoration (O come let us adore Him), worthy art Thou (worthy are You)!”

“There’s a Fountain Free” – 909

“Will you come?” Not necessarily to the meeting of church services, but to the Christ, to the fountain free. But then again, if you’re only ‘coming’ on Christmas and or Easter, if you only come to worship Him as the men of the Old Testament were commanded…then you’re missing the freedom found in the Fountain.

“All People That on Earth Do Dwell” – 532

We’ll close with what some consider a call to worship. Taken again from the 100th book of the Psalms, this ‘psalm’ will be followed by the chorus of our opening spiritual song. Consider the flow to be something like this… “All people that on earth do dwell, sing to the Lord with a cheerful voice; Him serve with fear, His praise forth tell; Come ye (you) before Him and rejoice…” “We’re marching to Zion, beautiful, beautiful Zion! We’re marching upward to Zion, the beautiful city of God.” If we wait to ‘worship’ Him using the example of the Old Law, we’ll miss the blessing of the Savior. The heart of a child of God calls for more than just, “Three times a year you must go to church.”

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Remember the Soldiers

Waterview Veterans...2014This past Saturday morning we honored our veterans at Waterview church of Christ. More than 130 of us gathered for breakfast and fellowship as we recognized 40 veterans and their widows. We listened to a couple of patriotic songs and two inspirational readings. One of those poems was entitled “A Soldier Died Today.” Written by A. Lawrence Vaincourt, we came to better appreciate the sacrifice given by ‘a Common Soldier.’

A Soldier Died Today…

 

He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast,
And he sat around the Legion, telling stories of the past.

Of a war that he once fought in and the deeds that he had done,
In his exploits with his buddies; they were heroes, every one.

And ‘tho sometimes to his neighbors his tales became a joke,
All his buddies listened quietly for they knew where of he spoke.

But we’ll hear his tales no longer, for ol’ Joe has passed away,
And the world’s a little poorer for a Soldier died today.

He won’t be mourned by many, just his children and his wife.Soldiers funeral
For he lived an ordinary, very quiet sort of life.

He held a job and raised a family, going quietly on his way;
And the world won’t note his passing, ‘tho a Soldier died today.

When politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in state,
While thousands note their passing, and proclaim that they were great.

Papers tell of their life stories from the time that they were young
But the passing of a Soldier goes unnoticed, and unsung.

He’s just an ordinary fellow who in times of war and strife,
Goes off to serve his country and offer up his life.

A loyal, faithful Soldier, who offered up his all,
Is paid off with a medal and perhaps a pension, small.

It’s too easy to forget them, but our minds we must employ
If it were not for our soldiers would freedom our country enjoy?

Should you find yourself in danger, with your enemies at hand,
There’s only one good option…for the soldier takes a stand!

Consider that lone Soldier–loving country, home and kin,
Just a common Soldier, who would fight until the end.

He was just a common soldier, and his ranks are growing thin,
But his presence should remind us we may need his like again.

folded flagFor when countries are in conflict, we find the Soldier’s part
Is to clean up all the troubles with a faithful, caring heart.

If we cannot do him honor while he’s here to hear the praise,
Then at least let’s give him homage at the ending of his days.

Perhaps just a simply headline in the paper that might say:
“OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING, A SOLDIER DIED TODAY.”

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The Spread of the Kingdom…Aug. 17th

“Go, therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” These are the final words, recorded in Matthew chapter 28, of our Lord and Savior following His resurrection. His mission complete, Jesus called for all men to come to ‘know Him and the power of His resurrection.’ Phil. 3:10 We have come to know this passage as; “The Great Commission.”hologram...world

The word commission can be defined as, “a group of people officially authorized to perform certain duties or functions.”  In this context, Christians are that group of people. And we are the ones ‘authorized’ (given the duty) to teach Christ and baptize in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. We are called to make disciples from all the nations. An obligation to reach the lost with Christ. We know it, we’ve memorized it and we believe it…but how well do we follow it? Are we guilty of saying we agree, but then failing to ‘go, and make disciples of all the nations’? Whether we reach around the globe, or across the street, we have been given a ‘commission’ to spread the kingdom of God.


“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.” I Corinthians 14:15

Sunday morning, August 17, 2014

The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.

“The Battle Belongs to the Lord” – 749

Do we see our life as a battle? A quick glance at the evening news reveals unrest, strife and war all around. It seems we live in a war zone. But as Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus, “…our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the…spiritual forces of wickedness.” (Ephesians 6:12) So Christians, this song could be translated, “As we go about our daily activities (enter into the land) we must go with the armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-20). And in this manner, there is no reason to be afraid. There is no weapon that our enemy can produce (fashion against us) that will stand against God.” Let’s take courage in knowing, “The Battle Belongs to the Lord!”

“Thomas’ Song” – 269thomas and Jesus

Written as though from the pen of ‘doubting’ Thomas, this song echos what might have been said by this disciple following the death of Jesus. “Jesus, You were all to me. Why did you die on Calvary? O Lamb of God I fail to see how this could be part of the plan…” Perhaps you can relate to the raw emotion and the depth of pain as you sing the first line of the chorus, “If I could only hold Your hand…” How often, when a loved passes do we long for one more chance to hold their hand. Certainly Thomas felt this same emptiness. But we move from the anguish of sorrow to the exclamation of joy as the risen Lord appears to his followers. It’s no wonder Thomas said, and we sing the words found in John 20:28, “I proudly say with blazon cry, You are ‘My Lord and my God!’ “

“Bethlehem…Galilee…Gethsemane” – 357

A beautiful song with a simple message. The message of Jesus’ birth, His life, His death and ultimately His resurrection. “Now He lives and reigns forever, I believe! I believe!” As a child of God, we believe…but are we faithful in sharing our belief? We must spread the message of the kingdom!


“The Greatest Commands” – 448

Each musical part; soprano, alto, tenor and bass have the opportunity to sing and harmonize the scripture with this contemporary psalm. Notice the reference to scripture with each line, singing with understanding of the love of God. That love is needed in a lost and dying world. We are called to make disciples of all the nations teaching them to…“Love one another for love is of God!”

“Send the Light” – 650

Listen carefully and you can hear the call that comes ringing from across the waves. And today that call is becoming more and more pronounced. God-fearing families are being told to denounce Jehovah God, and if they refuse, they face death. How can we send the light of Jesus Christ into send the lighta darkness of that caliber? The answer is Christ. We should “…pray that grace may everywhere abound…and a Christ-like spirit everywhere be found: Send the Light!”  

“I Love to Tell the Story” – 659

Words that will serve as our invitation song are actually a reminder of how we will show Christ in this world. Do you love to tell others about Jesus? How often in your day do you talk about ‘unseen things above?’ When you realize that ‘some have never heard the message of salvation,’ does that inspire you to tell the old, old story?

“Sowing the Seed of the Kingdom” – 643

We all have a responsibility in the kingdom of God. We are called to teach the commandments of Christ, baptize in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and ultimately make disciples. When we do this, we begin the harvest for God. Are you sowing the seed of the kingdom? Are you teaching the lost about Christ? Are you baptizing them and making disciples? ‘The harvest time is coming on…’ it’s time we get busy and spread the kingdom!

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The Awesome Positive Power of Fellowship…Aug. 3rd

What’s the purpose of fellowship, and what does it offer me? I am very busy with my day to day activities, and there’s more to get done than I have time for. Perhaps the idea of fellowship is just another way of coercing people into ‘getting together.’ Some might say that fellowship is just an unnecessary, waste of my valuable time.welcome

Attitudes like this may not be verbally spoken, but the actions of some tend to reject the power of Christian fellowship. Paul referenced ‘the right hand of fellowship’ in writing about Peter, James (the brother of Jesus) and John in Galatians 2. To ‘extend’ the right hand meant to offer yourself as a friend. John adds to the idea of fellowship as he penned I John, chapter 1; “…if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another.” There is power, a positive power in Christian fellowship, and each of us have the choice of either being a friend or not. We can offer the right hand or keep it in our pocket. Do you want to know the awesome positive power of fellowship?

 

“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.”  I Corinthians 14:15

Sunday morning, August 3, 2014

The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.

“Awesome God” – 38

A strong, contemporary song of praise to God! We’ll sing it, but when we clearly understand it, our vocabulary might be changed. “Our God is an awesome God, He reigns from heaven above…” Then again, you might have said, ‘that was an awesome game last night.’ Is my definition of ‘awesome’ different in these two situations, or am I just using terminology without thinking about the meaning? What IS awesome to you?

“Leaning on the Everlasting Arm” – 589

“What a fellowship! What a joy divine, leaning on the everlasting arm.” My security in Christ is shared with all those who have obeyed His word. And still we lean on Christ for our strength and support. We share in fellowship with one another as we fellowship with Christ. Or as John said, “…if we walk in the Light…”

“Take My Life, and Let It Be” – 664

Several songs share this title, but within the arrangement we’ll sing this morning let’s focus our minds on giving. Notice the 4th verse;  “Take my silver and my gold: not a mite would I withhold…” By definition a mite is ‘any small amount.’ And likely you’re familiar with ‘the widow’s mite’ Jesus mentioned in Mark 12. So as we sing ‘not a mite would I withhold’ we are singing that we will give to God everything. Not ‘withholding’ even the smallest amount.

“More Precious Than Silver” – 273

If you had the choice of a vault full of silver, gold and diamonds, or an eternity in your Lord’s presence, which would you choose. The Christian says, ‘Sure, I would rather be with Jesus.’ But does your life reflect that statement? Is He more precious than silver to you? Do you Mary Gardenconsider Jesus to be more valuable (costly) than gold? Is He more beautiful in your eyes than diamonds?  If I prioritize my life so that I live for Him, then ‘…nothing I desire compares with You.’

“I Come to the Garden Alone” – 595

Singing this song we’re reminded of how Mary might have felt as she stood by the tomb on the first day of the week. “I come to the garden alone while the dew is still on the roses. And the voice I hear falling on my ear, the Son of God discloses…” In this scenario the voice she heard would have said, “Mary!” (John 20:16).

“We Saw Thee Not” – 342

We can read the impact of the scripture as we sing the 2nd and 3rd verse of this song; “We saw Thee not when lifted high…nor heard we that imploring cry, ‘Forgive, they know not what they do!'” and in verse 3, “We gazed not in the open tomb…but we believe that angels said, ‘Why seek the living with the dead?'” Luke 23:34, Luke 24:5 respectively.

“Fellowship Medley” – 703-705

A medley before our lesson of three songs that speak directly of our fellowship. “I love you with the love of the Lord.” Followed by “Bind us together, Lord with chains that cannot be broken.” And then concluding with “A common love for each other.” If we have fellowship with one another we will love one another. John continues in verse 10 of chapter 2, “The one who loves his brother abides in the Light…” and remember, if we walk in the Light we have fellowship with one another. Maybe this one is easier to read than to practice.

“How Sweet, How Heavenly” – 709

Words that were penned almost 225 years ago still remind us of the fellowship we share in Christ. When our brother is hurting, we hurt. But we find this unity, the awesome positive power of fellowship only after we are free from envy and pride. We’ll over look the failings of one another and share in ‘union sweet’ when we show a brother’s love.

“Blest Be the Tie that Binds” – 711

Our closing song is another one that dates back over 225 years. With a ‘fellowship of kindred minds’ we understand and feel the tie that binds. Would that we pour out prayers, express our fears and hopes to each other so we can better understand the power of fellowship.