Today is mine and Karen's anniversary. We have been married for 31 years. This morning, as we were headed to the gym to run, walk, ride, lift and sweat......Karen asked, "Does it seem like 31?"
My reply........"No."
It still seems like yesterday that I was standing at the front of the church watching the most beautiful woman in the world walk down the aisle toward me. Even now my eyes will begin to well-up when I picture it all again in my mind. Karen will tell you I had a hard time speaking at the start of the ceremony, and it was all her fault.
WOW!!! 31 years of sharing in a journey that only God could have orchestrated. His hand has been gently guiding us as we began our lives together; as we became parents and raised a family; as we have served in His church. God has blessed me beyond words with the one person that has been, and will always be......the love if my life.
"Seem like 31?......No......But, an amazing moment in time."
Happy anniversary, Karen. I love you.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Monday, December 21, 2009
spotlights
This past Saturday the Praise Team was rehearsing for our Christmas Service on Sunday at East Rowan High School. As we were going through a sound-check of the songs for the service, the spotlights for the stage came on. Talk about bright. Over the years, I have grown accustomed to them, and they don't seem to bother me that much. But, it is fun to listen to the response of others on the stage. The most common response being, "How can you see anything?" I know that people can feel that spotlights shining in their eyes can be distracting and make it hard to see people. And, at first, I probably felt the same way. But, I don't think that way any more.
The whole purpose of a spotlight is to make those of us on the stage easier to see. I know that sounds pretty obvious, but sometimes we need to be reminded that as worship leaders....we need to be seen as worship leaders. Spotlights have become a tool to help me focus more on worshipping and to remind me that I am being viewed as a worshipper. When that spotlight comes on, I have to ask myself.....am I a worshipper? Am I ready to lead? Am I ready for the responsibility of leading? Am I worshipping?
This is the Christmas season and worshipping God should be a top priority in our lives. It's all around us..... from stores to TV movies to sales papers..... Christmas is everywhere.... or is it? Have we become so distracted by the rushing around to get everything while it is on sale, or trying to fill every wakened hour cooking and preparing desserts for party after party, that we forget to focus on the true meaning of Christmas.....the birth of God's Son....our Savior?
Do we need to be reminded by a spotlight?
As believers in Jesus Christ....we are on a stage everyday. Is His spotlight making you a worshipper to everyone that sees you?
The whole purpose of a spotlight is to make those of us on the stage easier to see. I know that sounds pretty obvious, but sometimes we need to be reminded that as worship leaders....we need to be seen as worship leaders. Spotlights have become a tool to help me focus more on worshipping and to remind me that I am being viewed as a worshipper. When that spotlight comes on, I have to ask myself.....am I a worshipper? Am I ready to lead? Am I ready for the responsibility of leading? Am I worshipping?
This is the Christmas season and worshipping God should be a top priority in our lives. It's all around us..... from stores to TV movies to sales papers..... Christmas is everywhere.... or is it? Have we become so distracted by the rushing around to get everything while it is on sale, or trying to fill every wakened hour cooking and preparing desserts for party after party, that we forget to focus on the true meaning of Christmas.....the birth of God's Son....our Savior?
Do we need to be reminded by a spotlight?
As believers in Jesus Christ....we are on a stage everyday. Is His spotlight making you a worshipper to everyone that sees you?
Friday, December 4, 2009
ornaments
The day after Thanksgiving is the day that has been set aside for decorating our house for Christmas; inside and out. I tend to view this as a project/job for the day. This process begins with the climb into the attic to gather the boxes and tubs of decorations. After everything is down and separated, then the decorating begins.
Once the tree is up and ready, I get to place the lights on the tree. After I get the lights working, and in the right place on the tree, then I will head outside with Joshua to begin decorating the front of the house. Karen will be busy inside placing everything in its place around the house, and then she begins to place the ornaments on the tree. Its a very tedious process, and she takes great care in how the tree looks from every angle. After all the lights and wreaths are situated on the front of the house, and most of the boxes are returned to the attic.....I get to listen to my favorite part of the decorating.
Karen will show me where she has placed the newest ornaments on the tree, and why she has placed them where she has. I know that she is wanting me to see where they are so that when I am ready to video our decorations, which we do each year on Christmas Eve, I will be sure to include them. What she may not realize is that when she shows me the ornaments, she is reminding me of special things that we have done during the year.
Our whole tree is made up of ornaments that are memories, and every memory is refreshed with every ornament. I enjoy looking at a decorated tree for Christmas, but what makes ours so special is that it reminds me of every blessing that God has given me and my family. I know that most people look forward to what Christmas may bring each year........but I like looking at our tree and remembering what Christ has brought.
Once the tree is up and ready, I get to place the lights on the tree. After I get the lights working, and in the right place on the tree, then I will head outside with Joshua to begin decorating the front of the house. Karen will be busy inside placing everything in its place around the house, and then she begins to place the ornaments on the tree. Its a very tedious process, and she takes great care in how the tree looks from every angle. After all the lights and wreaths are situated on the front of the house, and most of the boxes are returned to the attic.....I get to listen to my favorite part of the decorating.
Karen will show me where she has placed the newest ornaments on the tree, and why she has placed them where she has. I know that she is wanting me to see where they are so that when I am ready to video our decorations, which we do each year on Christmas Eve, I will be sure to include them. What she may not realize is that when she shows me the ornaments, she is reminding me of special things that we have done during the year.
Our whole tree is made up of ornaments that are memories, and every memory is refreshed with every ornament. I enjoy looking at a decorated tree for Christmas, but what makes ours so special is that it reminds me of every blessing that God has given me and my family. I know that most people look forward to what Christmas may bring each year........but I like looking at our tree and remembering what Christ has brought.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
think and thank
Today is Thanksgiving Day and I am sitting here going through everything that I am thankful for. Well, actually, I am trying not to fall asleep. That always happens after an amazing meal and a quiet house. A lot of people have been sharing with me what they are thankful for all week long; from the Thanksgiving Service at HRCC Sunday night to posts on Facebook. This is the time of year for thinking and thanking. And now, on this quiet afternoon, its time to think and thank.
First off, I am thankful for a God who gave His Son for me so that I could become one of His children. He has blessed me with Karen, a loving wife that is my biggest supporter and encourager. Her love is truly a blessing from God. I am also thankful for my family; Joshua, Kristen, and Marshall; my Mom and Dad; my brothers and sisters, and their spouses and children.
I am also thankful for the people of High Rock Community Church. They have made my journey of following God's call on my life exciting through all of their love and support. I am thankful for the staff of HRCC, the team that I work with that I now consider an addition to my family. And, to my brothers and sisters that lead worship each weekend with me, I am so thankful for the chance to worship with you all. Thanks to all of you for your prayers, support, love, and friendship.
First off, I am thankful for a God who gave His Son for me so that I could become one of His children. He has blessed me with Karen, a loving wife that is my biggest supporter and encourager. Her love is truly a blessing from God. I am also thankful for my family; Joshua, Kristen, and Marshall; my Mom and Dad; my brothers and sisters, and their spouses and children.
I am also thankful for the people of High Rock Community Church. They have made my journey of following God's call on my life exciting through all of their love and support. I am thankful for the staff of HRCC, the team that I work with that I now consider an addition to my family. And, to my brothers and sisters that lead worship each weekend with me, I am so thankful for the chance to worship with you all. Thanks to all of you for your prayers, support, love, and friendship.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
pray in the moment
In a message a few weeks back, I heard Pastor Ray talk about how easy it is for people to tell someone, "I'll pray for you." And if we are honest with ourselves, we can probably recall times that we have told someone that when they tell us of a struggle that they are going through. One thing that I have learned from Ray, in my 5 years of being at High Rock, is that he usually doesn't say that he will pray for you. He takes you by the hand and prays for you right then...and it doesn't matter where you are.
I have seen so many people moved by this simple act of compassion; praying in the moment. I have tried to follow this example that as been set before me. It was a difficult at first, but before too long I found myself praying for people in their seat before, or after a service; praying for someone in the lobby of the church; in the parking lot by their car; on the curb; in my office; on the phone; in the ER; out-patient area, and the list gets longer. I have discovered that most people want to ask you to pray for them, and then expect you to say that you will and that is the end of the conversation. The real blessing for us, as believers, is when we stop what we are doing and pray. For that moment, their request has taken center-stage and they have become the most important thought on our mind.
Two nights ago I prayed for a married couple. The husband has been sick for a while and has gotten to the point that he was wanting his wife to wait on him hand and foot; 24-7. The wife was doing all that she could, but it was beginning to strain the relationship. A wedge was being driven between them, and it was starting to affect the entire family. I was called to come and try to "talk some sense into him." I sat on the side of his bed.....and we talked for about 30 minutes about all that was going on with him and his wife; the stress and tension. Then I felt God tell me to pray for them. I fought that one. I really didn't want to do this, but He wouldn't let up. So, I gave in. This was not going to be one of those, "I'll pray for you" and let it go moments.
I took hold of their hands......
.......and I prayed for my parents. It was the first time that I had prayed with my parents like that. I had always felt that it would be awkward to me, but I had such a peace......even as I listened to my mama fighting back tears, and felt my daddy squeezing my hand.
If I had put that moment off......I would have missed an incredible blessing.
I have seen so many people moved by this simple act of compassion; praying in the moment. I have tried to follow this example that as been set before me. It was a difficult at first, but before too long I found myself praying for people in their seat before, or after a service; praying for someone in the lobby of the church; in the parking lot by their car; on the curb; in my office; on the phone; in the ER; out-patient area, and the list gets longer. I have discovered that most people want to ask you to pray for them, and then expect you to say that you will and that is the end of the conversation. The real blessing for us, as believers, is when we stop what we are doing and pray. For that moment, their request has taken center-stage and they have become the most important thought on our mind.
Two nights ago I prayed for a married couple. The husband has been sick for a while and has gotten to the point that he was wanting his wife to wait on him hand and foot; 24-7. The wife was doing all that she could, but it was beginning to strain the relationship. A wedge was being driven between them, and it was starting to affect the entire family. I was called to come and try to "talk some sense into him." I sat on the side of his bed.....and we talked for about 30 minutes about all that was going on with him and his wife; the stress and tension. Then I felt God tell me to pray for them. I fought that one. I really didn't want to do this, but He wouldn't let up. So, I gave in. This was not going to be one of those, "I'll pray for you" and let it go moments.
I took hold of their hands......
.......and I prayed for my parents. It was the first time that I had prayed with my parents like that. I had always felt that it would be awkward to me, but I had such a peace......even as I listened to my mama fighting back tears, and felt my daddy squeezing my hand.
If I had put that moment off......I would have missed an incredible blessing.
Friday, November 13, 2009
who hasn't heard?
The other night, Karen was working on adding information from the Connection Cards, that we request to be filled out each week. She came across one and had to share it with me. On one side of the card, at the bottom, there is a question that asks "How did you hear about High Rock?" There are all kinds of responses to that question. They range from a friend's invitation, tent cards, t-shirts, some outdoor event, a flyer in the mail, yard signs in the neighborhood, billboards around town, and even an ad/commercial on TV. It is always fun to read about the ways that someone has heard about HRCC and it has encouraged them to come and see what God is doing in His church.
This card that Karen was sharing with me had a response that will have to be labeled from here on out as a classic. "How did you hear about High Rock?"
Response: "Who hasn't heard about High Rock?"
Two things I see in this response. (1) The folks that attend HRCC are not shy about telling people that they meet, where they worship. (2) People in Rowan, Cabarrus, and Davidson County have seen what God has been doing through HRCC.
When God truly has placed His hand on His people, His church, it is no longer a secret....it is contagious.
This card that Karen was sharing with me had a response that will have to be labeled from here on out as a classic. "How did you hear about High Rock?"
Response: "Who hasn't heard about High Rock?"
Two things I see in this response. (1) The folks that attend HRCC are not shy about telling people that they meet, where they worship. (2) People in Rowan, Cabarrus, and Davidson County have seen what God has been doing through HRCC.
When God truly has placed His hand on His people, His church, it is no longer a secret....it is contagious.
Monday, October 26, 2009
colorful sounds
I traveled to Asheville this morning with Karen and Joshua to see Kristen and Marshall. It has been a while since we have made this trip, and it had been a while since we had seen Kristen and Marshall. Monday, being a day-off, seemed like the best time to go. So, mountains....here we come.
The leaves are still beautiful heading up I-40, and Joshua and Karen are having a contest to see who can get the best photo of the colors. I'm sure some of them will end up on Facebook pretty soon. After picking up Kristen, we drove on the Blue Ridge Parkway for a few hours and stopped at the over-looks for more pictures and to just look out across this massive landscape of colors. Wow, God, this is impressive!! There were quite a few people up on the Parkway doing the same "leaf-gazing" as we were, but at one point, we were the only people at an over-look. It was so quiet. No car engines running. No people talking. No dogs barking. Just silence.....and a huge, colorful masterpiece that stretched out forever.
I once studied about an artist named Kandinsky, and how he used colors to represent sounds in his paintings. Reds were like harsh, shrill sounds.....yellow was like a loud blast of sound....blues were a soothing sound. When you would look at his paintings, you would get a sense of music playing to help you appreciate his work. When I sat on the railing and looked out at this amazing piece of artistic wonder....in the silence....I was listening to the most incredible orchestra playing the most amazing symphony ever composed.
How can you not know that there is a God? Even the trees sing out with all the colorful sounds that are reserved for the ears of God. If we would just take the time to enjoy this song we call "Autumn"....
Shouldn't we be making music and singing to Him as well?
The leaves are still beautiful heading up I-40, and Joshua and Karen are having a contest to see who can get the best photo of the colors. I'm sure some of them will end up on Facebook pretty soon. After picking up Kristen, we drove on the Blue Ridge Parkway for a few hours and stopped at the over-looks for more pictures and to just look out across this massive landscape of colors. Wow, God, this is impressive!! There were quite a few people up on the Parkway doing the same "leaf-gazing" as we were, but at one point, we were the only people at an over-look. It was so quiet. No car engines running. No people talking. No dogs barking. Just silence.....and a huge, colorful masterpiece that stretched out forever.
I once studied about an artist named Kandinsky, and how he used colors to represent sounds in his paintings. Reds were like harsh, shrill sounds.....yellow was like a loud blast of sound....blues were a soothing sound. When you would look at his paintings, you would get a sense of music playing to help you appreciate his work. When I sat on the railing and looked out at this amazing piece of artistic wonder....in the silence....I was listening to the most incredible orchestra playing the most amazing symphony ever composed.
How can you not know that there is a God? Even the trees sing out with all the colorful sounds that are reserved for the ears of God. If we would just take the time to enjoy this song we call "Autumn"....
Shouldn't we be making music and singing to Him as well?
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