heaven's song

This "Fireproof" series that we have just finished up, has been amazing. God has had His hand on these four weeks from the beginning. The opening night of the movie; the church purhasing tickets for Firefighters and their wives to attend; the excitement of getting the stage put together; the props from local Fire Departments and friends; the messages that have challenged us all with a "love dare"; the stories from couples about how God has, or is moving in their lives. It has been like this constant increase in energy and anticipation each week to see what will happen next. And, to be honest with you, my anticipation was a limited one. Don't take that in the wrong way; I truly believed that God would do some amazing things here at HRCC with this series, but I was not prepared for how He would end this series.

Jon and I had talked about doing the song, "Love Is Not A Fight" by Warren Barfield, at the end of his message for this past weekend. It was planned as the "love dare" for couples to take this time to come forward and pray for each other.........out loud. I was very nervous. I knew Jon could sing the song; he has a great voice, but for me to play the song........on guitar........alone. That's called.....nervous. So, several times during the week I practiced. And I practiced. And I practiced. And every time I finished the song, I would want to play just a little longer........not the song, but just two chords over and over. I don't know why.......they just sounded good together; A and D2. Back and forth between the two chords; but only after the last time that I practiced the song. I don't know why. I would sit and play these two chords and drift away in my mind......close my eyes and just listen to the sound that these chords would make together. It was very comforting and restful.

Then, at the end of the last service on Sunday; Jon and I, along with Mike Reavis, play the song and couples come to the front of the stage, and they pray for each other........out loud. And as we finish the song......there is still praying going on; and I find myself playing A and D2.......and this amazing song happens; a song of music and prayers. If you were there, you heard it. You couldn't help but hear it........and feel it. It was heaven's song......prayers and tears and music.......joy and hurt and music.........love and peace and music.........love and peace ........ love......... God's love......... heaven's song. The most beautiful song I have ever heard.

a bowl of Trix

I wasn't even sure what time it was. I didn't really care. All I was focused on was what I was looking at out the window as we drove along Hwy 79. On both sides of the road was this blanket of color that covered the mountains of West Virginia. It is the second week of October, and the leaves are turning. I'm sure that I'm not the only person that likes this time of year. The air is a little crisper in the mornings; the sun seems to be brighter, without the glare; and the leaves begin this transformation from green to yellow, orange, red, and gold. Maybe its the "artsy" side of me (as Ray would say) that notices this so much. But, when I see the colors, I can't help but think about God as an artist, and He brushes over His landscape with such majesty and power, that even the trees respond. What were once quiet and green begin to shout with "Hey!!! Look at me!!! I'm changing!!!" Its like we see them for the first time. They've been there along the highways and roads all year, but now they've got my attention.
I remember being in college and going out on the Blue Ridge Parkway just to do some sketching, and sitting there lost in the wonder of all the color. The mountains with all this color looked like a giant bowl of Trix. (sometimes in college, you think about food.......a lot) I tried to sketch what I was experiencing, but it was useless. No painting could touch it. This was all done by the Master, and there was no need to even try and improve on it.
Sometimes, I sit back and look at the church, and I see the same artist applying His brush strokes to His canvas that we call HRCC. People attend here every week, but when God has brushed His hand across their lives.......we can't help but see a change. Someone who was once a quiet person, that would kindly smile as they passed by; now is excited about what God is doing in their life and it is as if they are shouting "Hey!!! Look at what God has done for me!!! He has changed me!!! I need to tell you about it!!!" When I am leading worship; I hear them. When I get the opportunity to speak; I see them. We are all different; just like the paint on an artist's palette. But, when used by an artist.........we become more than a bowl of Trix........we become His masterpiece. And every artist loves his work.

chasing rabbits

Small groups are fun, aren't they? I know the one that Karen and I attend is. I enjoy it because I get to sit and listen to what others think when it comes to talking about a passage in the Bible. I enjoy the laughter (and there is a lot in this group), the food (most excellent), the prayers, and the discussions. Most of the time David will read a passage, help us to understand what the writer was trying to get across, and then the group starts to ask questions and we begin to see how this passage relates to all of us; sitting around in someones house. This small group is not any different than other small groups. I'm sure that if I were to ask each person that attends one of these groups, I would hear some familiar tales. Everyone would probably talk about the "food", "fun", and "fellowship"; and all that is great. But, I was reminded by my small group the other week about something very important that happens within a small group......this is a place to be encouraged.
Our group is going through a study of Proverbs, and during one of our "rabbit chases" through the scripture, they stumbled across a moment that lifted this time of study to a time of reflection, remembrance, and encouragement. I really don't know what started the "rabbit chase", but I enjoyed every minute of it. We were going from one thought to another, and before you could catch your breath........the "rabbit" headed in another direction. Everyone was in on the "chase".....incredible fun, and total encouragement for me. Somewhere during the "chase", the topic shifted to remembering the first time each person stepped foot into HRCC. They would all share about how they can still remember what Ray was speaking about; how he would sit down beside them and talk to them before the service; how welcomed that they had felt that first time.... and how they still feel that way. The "rabbit" led them to tell about how much they each love the church, and how real the presence of God is in the services and with the people, and how excited they all are in seeing the church moving forward, and it went on, and on........and my heart........ my spirit........

The best part of blogging is that you can't see me while I am reliving that night in my head, and trying to put it on a screen. You can't hear my heart pounding, nor do you have any idea how blurred this page is to me right now. I would just like to thank my small group for a time of encouragement that could not have come at a better time. This was one time of "chasing rabbits" that I will not soon forget.
And I am sure, that if you are reading this as a member of HRCC, you probably can remember when you first came here to a service; the greeters; the welcome; the music; the message; the volunteers; the Kids Club; the skits; the videos; the props on stage.............and if you are like me............there goes a "rabbit".

questions

This past Tuesday I had the privilege of speaking in a Chapel Service at North Hills Christian School. Mrs. Richards had contacted me through the church, and had asked if I would be interested in coming to their school. They have pastors from area churches to come and speak to their students during the year. I wrote back and told her that I guess I could do that, and asked her to send me some dates to choose from. The next thing I know, I'm marking on my calendar, September 9th at 1:30. No big deal......til Monday, September 8th. What am I going to talk about? What do they expect from me? Who am I to be speaking to students attending a "Christian" school? Will they ask me questions? Will I have the right answers? I am not ready for this.
Monday morning I call the school to see if I could just drop by and get a chance to see the Chapel; maybe even talk to some of the staff there. It is a pretty neat school. Not very big. Kind of quiet, as schools go. This might not be too bad. I think I can handle this. I leave the school feeling a little more at ease about speaking the next day.
I decide to show up a little early the next day to get myself ready for Chapel. I had decided to bring my guitar, and lead them in a little worship time before I speak. At 1:20, the students start coming in, and I begin to get a little nervous. At 1:30, the room is packed. I don't know about you, but a room full of middle school and high school students should not be as quiet as that room was. I am beyond a little nervous. Now, add to this the fact that a 6th grader sitting on the front row, sees the first slide of a song we are about to sing; opens his Bible and asks me, "What passage of the Bible is that statement from?" We haven't even started, and he's asking a question that I can't answer. Can you feel my palms starting to sweat? The next 40 minutes...........was cool. Not because of what I said, or sang, or how the students responded; but it was cool because God had used a question from a young man to help me see that He wants us to ask questions. He wants us to have a heart and mind that hungers for more of Him. So..............my challenge to the students was for them to continue to ask questions, especially when it came to reading and studying the Bible. I mentioned to them about how that students in Jesus' time could only continue their education with a Rabbi "if" they could answer a question from the Rabbi, and then ask him a question. If the Rabbi said to them, "Come, follow me", they would be able to continue their education and one day become a Rabbi themselves; which was a highly revered career path. A student longed to hear those words from a Rabbi. If the Rabbi did not feel that the student was "hungry" enough for knowledge, them he would just turn and walk away. Their education.....quest...... journey.......was over.
Isn't it amazing that those are the words that Jesus said to his disciples when he selected them. And, they called him "Rabbi". They also asked a lot of questions. If we continue to ask questions; have a hunger for God; we will hear, "Come, follow me" every day. I guess that is why we are known as "Christ followers."

sparks

I received a phone call today from a dear friend that I haven't seen in a few years; Fred Weber. I was on a search committee once, looking for a Minister of Music and Fred's resume caught our attention. I can't remember why his stood out over the rest, but it just did. What concerned us the most about calling him for an interview, was that he and his family lived in Texas. And, after a few conversations on the phone, I got the chance to meet him and his family face to face......and there was just something about him. Obviously, his love of music; but I think it was more his desire to bring out the gift of music from within everyone who had a part in the music ministry; from the children's choirs, all the way to the Adult Choir. He didn't just want singers and musicians in the choirs; Fred was always looking for ways to let individuals discover a gift that God had given them, and then would allow them to use that gift in the church. I was one of those individuals. I sang in the choir. I rehearsed each week. Fred would challenge me with a small solo part, once in a while. He gave me a chance to play my guitar and lead the music for the early service. Fred was excited when he discovered that I had been playing with a few musicians in the church, and that we had played at some area church events. He gave us an opportunity to play in a service........more than once.
I have always enjoyed playing music in a band of some sort. I enjoy playing Christian music live. When Fred let that combination come together in a church setting; a spark started to become a flame. It was like......for the first time.....I was being used by God to be a part of something bigger than me. Bigger than a choir robe. Bigger than special music for the offering time. Bigger than a solo. Almost too big to grasp, but worth the trying. Excitement grew inside me, and the flame became a call; a call to search out God and to reach out to grasp His hand, and lead me to where I am suppose to be...........leading worship. And what I have come to realize, is that, what I thought was a burning flame; is just another spark......a bigger spark than before, but still a spark. A new spark. And every week, the singers and musicians, that join me to lead High Rock in worship, fan that spark and it is getting bigger. I remember the first spark 4 years ago here at HRCC, and I have seen the flames of worship get bigger and bigger. But, I haven't forgotten the spark that Fred helped me to discover years before that. And I have been blessed ever since. Thanks Fred.

UnChristian

I apologize for not posting sooner. I mentioned in my last blog that I did some reading while on vacation, and I wrote that I would tell more about what I read in my next blog. Now that I have kept you checking for two weeks; only to be dissappointed again and again, here ya' go. I had been reading a book entitled, UnChristian. A lot of it is filled with statistics from the Barna Group about how different groups of people view Christians. I guess by the title, you probably know how we are viewed.........we are not very Christian in their definition of what a Christian should be like; how we act toward others; how we treat others; how we accept, or don't accept certain people. I know......I know. It doesn't sound like the kind of book that is going to be very encouraging for us, as believers in Jesus Christ, but I have to say......it spoke very loud to me, and I found encouragement from it. Let me explain:
I had been reading one day about how a pretty large percentage of people were questioned about what they thought was missing, or lacking in the personality of a "Christian". Their response was that we (Christians) don't really care so much about the person, as much as we care about "chalking up another one for the Kingdom"(my paraphrase). That hurt at the time. But, the more I thought about it; the more I started looking inside and asking myself.....is this true? How can I know if I am like this statement? Now the surprise.....God must have been reading along with me, because he gave me a chance to experience if I was UnChristian.
A thunder storm came through Hilton Head and knocked out our cable. So I, like any other vacationer would do, called the maintenance office to report it. I let them know that I didn't need them to come and fix this right away. Its late Friday; around 5:30, and I just wanted them to know that it wasn't working, and they may need to get it fixed before the next family comes in and finds it not working. I mean, I have my family with me.......we have books to read, places to go, PS2, and board games. We can survive. 10 minutes later, Hugh shows up at our door.......to fix our cable. I help him move some furniture to get to all the wiring. we both struggle for quite a while, and he determines that the cable box is fried. He doesn't have that piece, and only the cable company can fix it, but he says that he will stay there and wait til they can come.......it may be a few hours. I explain that we are fine; we don't need the cable; he doesn't need to wait. This surprised him. I wasn't the typical visitor he comes in contact with. I asked him why he was working so late on a Friday. He told me that he was wanting to call it a day at 6:00 so he could drive to Columbia, almost 3 hours away, to see his brother in the hospital with cancer. Hugh is the only one in their family with the same blood-type as his brother. He helps to give his brother a little more time here on earth with his family..........Yeah, that's what I was thinking, too. "What are you doing here working on my cable?" I told him to go.....leave.....this is his brother......family comes first. We continued talking as we went outside to his service van. He kept saying, "I have never met anyone like you". I asked if I could pray for him, and his brother, and he gave me the strangest look. I told him that I was a pastor and that I would like to pray with him. So, there at his van.........in the parking lot......in public......we prayed.......and Hugh cried. Then he gave me one of those big, long hugs........saying, "I've never met anyone like you".
May we live and act in such a way that others say, "I've never met anyone like you". May we become more Christ-like. If you read the Bible close enough........you will see that a lot of people "had never met anyone like Him".

Back home

I haven't blogged recently for the simple fact that I was on vacation with my family; Karen, Joshua, Kristen, and her husband, Marshall. We always have a good time when we go away as a family, and this year was no exception. We enjoyed a restful week in Hilton Head, SC. This was the third time that we have vacationed in Hilton Head, and we have enjoyed each trip. This year was no different. We had a nice place to stay; the pool was never overcrowded; the beach is wide and calm; the food is excellent; and everything is so clean. Every time I take a vacation, or even just some time off, I carry along a book, or two. My plan is usually to relax and read at some point during this week. When Kristen and Joshua were younger, reading did not happen. Vacations were constant go...go...go. And I soaked that time up like a sponge. I am a go...go...go type person. So, to even think about a vacation as a time to relax......are you kidding? But times, they do change. And I did sit, relax, and read. (I'll tell what I read in another blog.)
I'm sure a lot of you reading this will agree that the hardest part about a vacation is going home. You know that you need to get back home, but when you do, you are just so tired. Have you ever heard the statement, "I need a vacation to rest up from my vacation"? Yeah; you know the saying. I know I've said it before. It's kind of like jet-lag. "It's good to be back home, but I could sure use some time off now." Right? This vacation was not like that. I had a great time. I got the chance to do some things with the people that I love;my family........oh yeah, and relax.
And now, I'm back home. I'm not tired. I don't need time off to recover from a vacation. Why? I'm not sure. Could it be that in the past, like a lot of people, I looked at life as work and when we look at life that way, we don't want to come back home from vacation. We don't really want to recover, we just don't want to go back to a life that is work. Maybe we should look at life the way we look at a vacation......fun and relaxing. There is always a chance to do something with people that you love to be around. And, we should enjoy the opportunities that we get to relax, and take advantage of them.
So, what did I do when I got back home?.........I headed to church for rehearsal; a chance to do something with people I love to be around.......Praise!!