The Best Play I Have Seen In A Long Time

If you can, you would be incredibly blessed to see this play that is being performed at the Triad Stage in Greensboro. I saw it last year and enjoyed it so much that I took my parents back a week later. It was absolutely wonderful. If I had the money I would take each of you.

In this return of last season's sold out holiday hit, Reverend Roy Ledbetter and his congregation are back to bring the Christmas story to life in an Appalachian setting with down home laughter, toe-tapping music and a tug at the heart. Developed by Triad Stage Artistic Director Preston Lane and Laurelyn Dossett of Polecat Creek, the same creative team behind Brother Wolf and the upcoming Bloody Blackbeard, this new holiday tradition is a musical and storytelling journey from the creation of the world to the birth of Jesus. In the tradition of the medieval mystery plays of Old England, Beautiful Star weaves music, humor and awe together, re-telling great stories from the Bible in a festive gathering of family, friends and faith.

Beautiful Star is set on a cold winter evening, high in the mountains of North Carolina, where the members of a small Open Heart Community Fellowship gather to tell the story of the first Christmas. But this is no ordinary Christmas pageant. As this fellowship brings these glorious stories to life, their simple mountain church is transformed by the power of music, the telling of tales and pure faith into a world of magic and wonder.

See what critics called, "the best show I've seen in this or any holiday season" (The Charlotte Observer) and "perfect family fare...[that] will lighten your heart and put a lump in your throat." (Greensboro's News & Record)

Click HERE to buy tickets.

Groups of 10 - 49 persons save 15%. For more information and to reserve your group's seats, call Sherry Barr, Director of Audience Services, at 336.274.0067 ext. 218 or email groupsales@triadstage.org.

And click HERE to download the podcast.

I was impressed by the insight into the stories of the Old Testament that Preston Lane showed as he wrote this play. I was especially impressed by his understanding of the significance of the story of Abraham and Isaak on Mt. Moriah. (This was also the most poignant moment of the play.) The fellow that played the enemy was especially good too. I would consider his performance last year the strongest. The music is fabulous too. It well worth every penny that you will pay for a ticket.

Prepare To Be Rocked...

I just read this in a post and it blew me away.

“Don’t you ever stop, and don’t you ever let anyone stop you. I let a church full of lazy Christians steal my passion away from me. They did not want to change, they wouldn’t reach out to anyone, and they did not care about people dying without Jesus. All they cared about was making church easy and convenient. I let them scare me into doing what they wanted. And I slowly died. I would give anything to be your age again, Clayton. I would do it differently and I would obey God no matter what people said. Trust me son, you don’t want to end up like me, dying in hospital with regrets hanging over your head. Once you let anybody other than Jesus tell you what to do, you begin to die.”

I'm not going to explain all of the quote or the background. You will be far better off if you click HERE and read the entire post. I know this isn't what we want, so we have to break through our fears and touch our community if we want to have a reason to exist.

James 2:26

I suppose that it is a little tacky to quote yourself in a blog, but oh well, sometimes you write something that you just don't think that you can improve upon. Not to say that the following quote from my post called The Least Of These is Pulitzer Prize winning stuff, but it really communicates what I want to say in this forum as we are heading towards the big Christmas parties that we have scheduled.

I was talking with my good friend Bruce after the service and we were both feeling kind of low and worn out. We've both been taking a little time in the Lord's crucible lately, and I confessed to him how dry I had been feeling this past week - lonely for the Lord's presence. (Isn't it funny how being lonely for the Lord will often disguise itself as loneliness for other company? But I digress.) He suggested that it was perhaps the enemy's attack. We talked for a little bit longer and in the course of that discussion decided that we should do some servant evangelism together soon. (See Steve Sjogren's book Conspiracy Of Kindness.) As we left the church we passed a car broken down in the middle of the road. I stopped to ask if the guy driving needed help, and he could only answer me in Spanish. I went to park the car and looked up and there was Bruce! He was stopping to help too.

Now you need to understand, I am utterly NOT mechanical. I know next to NOTHING about what is going on under the hood of a car - especially if it isn't doing what it is supposed to be doing. However, Bruce is VERY mechanical. We helped the fellow to get his car out of the road and then Bruce went to work on the car. I used the little Spanish I knew to talk to Carlos and before you knew it Bruce had the car running again! We didn't say a word to Carlos about God or Jesus - I probably could have if I had been in practice - but as we went on our way I felt like I had just touched the Lord's fellowship for the first time in the past seven days. Is it possible that we met the Lord broken down on the road? Matthew 25:40 would seem to indicate that we did.

Perhaps God let me get dry and hungry for His presence so that I would sense it so clearly when I encountered it with Carlos this afternoon. If so, may He not let me forget to seek His presence even amongst "the least of these."

This encounter this past Sunday has stayed with me over the past couple of days. I am hungry to do a Servant Evangelism project between now and Christmas.

I actually have one in mind - not nearly as ambitious as the roofing project we did! I was thinking about contacting one (or several) stores at the mall and finding out when their busiest projected time will be one weekend. Then I will ask permission for a group of us to station ourselves around at the exit area cash registers and offer to assist customers with large packages to their cars. It is simple and inexpensive and will give us opportunities to talk with these folks while we are waiting for someone to serve and while we are serving!

What do you think? We would only go for an hour - two at the most. I believe the impact would be tremendous! All I need now is some volunteers. The two dates that I have in mind are the 8th or the 15th, but we could do it later too. I am leaning towards the 15th to give me a little time to promote the outing and to do all the planning. Please respond in the comments if you would be willing to help.

“But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’

“Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’
Matthew 25:31-40

Gratitude

"Thank you."

Such a simple thing to say, isn't it?
Apparently not. How often to YOU say it daily? Weekly?
Be honest now, are you someone who is known to others as a person expressive of gratitude?

Okay, enough questions. On this Thanksgiving Day 2007 I want to make a clear statement: "I am thankful." God takes top spot on my heart's list of those to whom I am indebted, of course. Apart from the enduring grace of my loving Heavenly Father I would have nothing but he fleeting fancies of this perishing world to serve as my focus of effort and affection. He has liberated me from that futility by providing for my eternal life through faith in His son, the Risen One, Christ Jesus.

Family, friends, faith, fun, fulfillment and forever . . . I am so blessed!

"Thank you, God, for freely giving to me without condition. You have paid the price for my eternal life, provided for my every true need, placed me into genuine community, and promised that the best is yet to come. I am grateful, eternally grateful. Thank YOU, Lord."

Happy Thanksgiving, Carol, Kelley, Kristin & Chad, and Norma Jean; Happy Thankgiving, Gilda & Bill, Judy & Bill, Terri, Chad and Alex, and all the extended family; Happy Thanksgiving, Rochester-in-laws; Happy Thanksgiving, StillWaters community; Happy Thanksgiving, dear friends from Florida, Michigan, South Carolina and North Carolina (and from Canada, where you beat us by over a month when it comes to Thanksgiving!); and, Happy Thanksgiving to our brave and sacrificial members of the US Military Branches: Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines and Navy. Without your thoughtful and selfless service as warriors securing our peace and freedom we would have neither reason nor opportunity for a national celebration of thanksgiving today. God bless and protect you, every one. Come home safely and soon.

May every person reading these words experience sincere gratitude of heart for all the marvelous blessings we share in this life, the promises of fullness in the next, and the subtle miracles we luxuriate in each day. Remember your Creator and Savior, Jesus Christ, or come to Him in faith today. Express your thanks to those around you for their personal additions to your life. Serve one another in humility and the power of the Holy Spirit, in the name of Christ and know the delight of your Heavenly Father.

I wish you well, regardless of your circumstances. "Be thankful in all things, for this is the will of God for you, in Christ Jesus." He loves you. Return the favor in thankfulness.

And to each of you who have graced my days, "Thank You."
Really.

Funny How Things Work Out

The joint Thanksgiving service at Back Creek Presbyterian Sunday night was once again thoroughly enjoyable. The church building itself is 150 years old this year and the church has been there for over 200 years. The building is beautiful, but the church is far better still!

It is funny, though, how insular we are even as brothers and sisters in Christ. At the start of the service we had to be desegregated from our individual congregations. Self-consciously, we had huddled in our little familiar groups. I am glad Pastor Thrailkill had the courage to shake things up a little at the beginning of the service and force us to mingle. In fact, he did it again right before the fellowship, challenging each of us to sit at a table with someone who wasn't from our church. I met some wonderful people as a result - people that I'll look forward to seeing again. Once again it was proved that we (Christians) ARE all family.

The text for the sermon Sunday night was Psalm 118. It begins and ends, "Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever." What a great place to begin our meditation during this Thanksgiving holiday! It must have been on the Lord's mind, for in my daily Psalm reading in the One Year Bible the past two days has been in Psalm 118. Funny, huh? I wonder if He is trying to tell me something?

Well, seeing how God seems to be speaking this Psalm to His people right now (or at least to me), I plan to make it my meditation this week. I pray that God will help you to reflect on all of the things that you have to be thankful for in the midst of all of the holiday's chaos. Have a wonderful, blessed day of Thanksgiving.

Only 50 Weeks Until The Election

Please remember to pray for the coming election. I know that it is easy to become frustrated with politicians and the political process (just read my blog sometime!) but there is so much at stake with each election. Some really great strides have been made in the defense of the unborn under the current administration and great strides have been made in the appointments that have been made to the Supreme Court. We must not lose these gains, but instead press forward to extend them.

We have been afforded a great privilege in the United States. We have a role to play in the selection of those who govern us. When the church has avoided the polls in protest or apathy we have paid dearly.

I have been interested in politics for quite a while and have at different times been fairly active in trying to change what is happening in this country. While writing letters, making phone calls, and other forms of activism are important, I have learned that the only thing that really impacts reality and outcomes in the political arena is prayer. The Bible says that God directs the heart of our governors where He wants them to go. I have sanctified each Tuesday (with the exception of Christmas Day and New Year's Day) between now and the election as a special day of prayer and fasting on behalf of the coming election. I would encourage you to join me if you can.

Here are some of the things that I pray regularly for our elected officials and for the election:

- That God will give our leaders wisdom in the enactment of just, wise, and godly laws.
- That God will protect our leaders and their families.
- That God will forgive us for the sin of abortion and will cause our leaders to outlaw this shameful practice.
- That God will give our leaders wisdom in the realm of international relations.
- That God will give us leaders that fear and love Him.
- That God will expose the corrupt, self-serving, and traitorous leaders that hold office and will replace them with godly men that will serve our nation with wisdom.
- That God will make HIS choices for our elected officials evident to His people.

One of the things that I believe hinders us in voting is that we are so busy that we don't have time to find out about the candidate's stances. As we near the election I will gather this information and post it on my blog. In the meantime, don't grow weary in praying that God's will will be done in the coming elections, and continue to pray for our leaders that are already in office.

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior...

2 Timothy 2:1-3

Don't Forget!

NO OASIS SUNDAY NIGHT.

INSTEAD...

Sunday night at 6:30 the area PCA churches are gathering at Back Creek Presbyterian Church for our annual joint Thanksgiving service. (Can you believe Thanksgiving is THURSDAY?) I have enjoyed this gathering each time I have attended. There will be a reception following the service so bring some kind of hors d'oeuvre (that's "finger foods" in the vernacular) to share.

SJB Inaugural Gig: Take Two

Well, you have all been waiting patiently for it and your patience shall be rewarded. The StillWaters Jazz Band will be playing its inaugural gig at the Kirkers' drop in Christmas Party on December 2 from 4:30 to 7:30 (That's how long the party goes - not the band!) Forewarned is forearmed.

Caitlin Did Great!

I was able to go see Pirates of Penzance tonight and thoroughly enjoyed it. Caitlin did a great job and a good time was had by all. I hardly recognized her in that big froofy bow! One more opportunity to see it tomorrow night at 7:30!

Quote Of The Day

"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude to me is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than success, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, gift, or skill. It will make or break a company...a church...a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past...we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10 percent what happens to me and 90 percent how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our attitudes. "
~ Charles R. Swindoll

Attitude

Attitudes:

Tonight Bruce was praying for our attitudes and something that he said spurred this thought:

Good, bad, or indifferent, our attitudes are a direct reflection of our faith and belief in, and knowledge and understanding of God's claims about Himself.

Time and time again - in the Scriptures, in my own life, and in the lives of others around me - I see the evidence to support this claim. The degree to which we understand God's claims about who He is and the degree to which we BELIEVE those claims is constantly played out in our attitudes. In fact, our attitudes become a billboard on which the world can see how well we know (and trust) God. Sadly, all too often our "billboards" are advertising something that the world around us just doesn't want. If John Piper is right in saying, "God is most glorified in you when you are most satisfied in Him" then how much glory is God receiving from our lives?

Although several scriptural examples come to mind, the story of the Israelite spies' report of the promised land provides both good and poor examples of attitudes in action. The account can be found in Numbers 13:25-33 and Numbers 14:1-12 The text quoted below comes from the New Living Translation.

After exploring the land for forty days, the men returned to Moses, Aaron, and the whole community of Israel at Kadesh in the wilderness of Paran. They reported to the whole community what they had seen and showed them the fruit they had taken from the land. This was their report to Moses: “We entered the land you sent us to explore, and it is indeed a bountiful country—a land flowing with milk and honey. Here is the kind of fruit it produces. But the people living there are powerful, and their towns are large and fortified. We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak! The Amalekites live in the Negev, and the Hittites, Jebusites, and Amorites live in the hill country. The Canaanites live along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea and along the Jordan Valley.”

As the leaders of the tribes who had gone to spy out the land returned they brought back tremendous reports of the goodness of the land. They even brought back a bunch of grapes that was so big that it had to be carried on a pole between them! They began their report by acknowledging that the land was every bit as good as God had told them that it was. So far so good, right?

Yet on the heels of the acknowledgment that God had been truthful about the goodness of the land was a BUT. Had the spies left the "BUT" out they would have been fine as they described the strength of the inhabitants of the land. Their attitude showed right away that they didn't believe that God would keep His promise to them.

Now enter a good example. Caleb was one of the twelve sent out to survey the land. As the other spies began to horrify the people with tales of fortified cities and even GIANTS, Caleb tried to calm the people, "Let’s go at once to take the land,” he said. “We can certainly conquer it!” Caleb's attitude demonstrated his FAITH that God would do as He had promised and deliver the inhabitants of the land into their hands.

As Caleb's words began to calm the crowd, the fear of the ten other spies rose, and they persisted in their declaration that the war was a lost cause before it even began.

But the other men who had explored the land with him disagreed. “We can’t go up against them! They are stronger than we are!” So they spread this bad report about the land among the Israelites: “The land we traveled through and explored will devour anyone who goes to live there. All the people we saw were huge. We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak. Next to them we felt like grasshoppers, and that’s what they thought, too!”

Their words were the last straw and the unbelief of the congregation was revealed through their response.

Then the whole community began weeping aloud, and they cried all night. Their voices rose in a great chorus of protest against Moses and Aaron. “If only we had died in Egypt, or even here in the wilderness!” they complained. “Why is the Lord taking us to this country only to have us die in battle? Our wives and our little ones will be carried off as plunder! Wouldn’t it be better for us to return to Egypt?” Then they plotted among themselves, “Let’s choose a new leader and go back to Egypt!”

First it began with grumbling against Moses and Aaron and they let themselves get so carried away that they even accused God of plotting their destruction.

These are the same people that had seen the ten plagues that God brought against the Egyptians, resulting in their freedom. They were the ones who had walked on dry land through the midst of the Red Sea and had witnessed the destruction of one of the mightiest armies in the world at God's hand - they hadn't lifted a finger in the battle. These people had eaten manna every day and they had quail without hunting for it. Their flocks and herds were fed and watered as they passed through the wilderness by God, and yet they accused God of wrongdoing.

I hate to admit that I too have committed this great sin. I have allowed myself to accuse God of not loving me and not caring for me in the midst of a great trial - and I used the very air that He gave me to breathe to do it with. My attitude was reflective of how little I knew and trusted my God.

Moses and Aaron knew it was time to duck. They fell on their faces before the Lord as one last effort was made to curb the bad attitude of the congregation of Israel.

Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, tore their clothing. They said to all the people of Israel, “The land we traveled through and explored is a wonderful land! And if the Lord is pleased with us, he will bring us safely into that land and give it to us. It is a rich land flowing with milk and honey. Do not rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the Lord is with us! Don’t be afraid of them!”

But the people would not be restrained. Instead, they became even more irrational. They were hysterical, acting as if the armies of the promised land were encircling the camp, when in reality there is no evidence that they were even aware of or concerned about any pending Israeli invasion.

But the whole community began to talk about stoning Joshua and Caleb. Then the glorious presence of the Lord appeared to all the Israelites at the Tabernacle. And the Lord said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with contempt? Will they never believe me, even after all the miraculous signs I have done among them?

Why was God angry? Because they had treated Him with contempt and refused to believe someone who could not lie after all that He had done for them. The end result? Everyone over 20 years old died over the next 40 years in the desert except for two people - Joshua and Caleb. Why? Because they believed that God would do what He said and their attitudes demonstrated this belief. God said of Caleb, "But my servant Caleb has a different attitude than the others have. He has remained loyal to me, so I will bring him into the land he explored. His descendants will possess their full share of that land." Numbers 14:24 NLT

Now, if you aren't reading closely, you might think that I am advocating a sunny disposition in the face of all of life's trials. That isn't my point. My point is that our attitude is a REFLECTION of our belief in God's goodness and His care for us. As I have endured the trial of the past year, I have gone through stages very much like the children of Israel. There have been moments, as I confessed earlier, that I have accused God of wrongdoing. Thank God that He is patient with us and understands why we do things better than we do ourselves.

It is evident from the scripture that good things follow those whose attitude reflects a firm belief in God's goodness and His care for them. Just consider Job, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Daniel, and Paul and Silas. All saw glorious deliverances on their behalf because their faith was reflected in their attitude, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY they saw the people around them influenced to believe in the Lord God as a result of their rewarded confidence. You see, their attitudes were powerful tools in the hands of God to bring people and glory to Himself. However, if we seek the attitude as a means to the faith we will encounter futility as certainly as a dog sledder who tries to hitch the team behind the sled and coax them to push.

Their attitudes were the direct result of what they had learned about God through the Scriptures, and, perhaps just as importantly, by their experience and remembrance that He had always been faithful to keep His covenants and promises.

How can we attain to this knowledge of God, this godly confidence, this faith and belief? Ephesians 4:21-24 exhorts us:

Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. Ephesians 4:21-24 NLT

Another thing that has helped me during this period of trial in my life has been to acknowledge the wonderful ways that I have seen God move on my behalf. I have majored on not focusing on the worries of tomorrow - there have been plenty of worries for each day! As I have done this, I have been less blinded to the many provisions that God has made for me, and I have begun to trust Him even when I have no idea from where the next provision will appear. The confidence that I have is this: "God is good and His lovingkindness is everlasting."

What better season than Thanksgiving to ponder the many blessings that God has poured out upon us - the many provisions that He has made on our behalf? When we focus on the promises already fulfilled, we can patiently endure while we wait for the promises that have not yet been fulfilled. GOD IS FAITHFUL!!! GOD LOVES ME!!! GOD LOVES YOU!!! HIS PLANS FOR YOU ARE FOR GOOD AND NOT FOR CALAMITY TO GIVE YOU A FUTURE AND A HOPE! It is hard to have a bad attitude when you meditate on all that.

Go get to know God. Spend time with Him. Consider all of the things He has done for you. As you do, you will find that your belief is growing deeper and deeper and your confidence will not be so easily shaken in the next storm.

For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too. So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up. Romans 14:17-19 NLT

Got A Light?

I recently heard the telling of a pastor who went to Salem, MA for a two week window during Halloween. Over 400,000 witches from around the world descended upon Salem within that two week window and 400 of them came to know the Lord as Saviour because he was simply willing to go and be a light in the darkness. He went on to say that one particular witch he encountered asked him many questions, but oddly never looked at him. When he made mention of this, she said the light that came out of him was too bright for her to look upon! (emphasis mine) GLORY! The Spirit within me leaps as I type this! That is what John 12:46 is all about! Oh that the world would SEE Jesus coming forth from our very beings --- impacting a lost and perverted world!
- Deborah @ Thoughts Along The Way

Isn't that AWESOME? I have been totally challenged and encouraged by this post. In another place she wrote:

I, along with my children, have started to experience something new when we are out. As I shared in an earlier post, I am (used) to people stopping me to talk when out and about because I sing worship songs as I go about my day. But, twice already this week I have been stopped in my silence and it has thrilled my soul! My sincere prayer is that this is happening all over in and through the lives of my brothers and sisters --- that the Spirit of the living God is moving among the people!

I hate to admit that it has been a while since I have had this happen to me, but I hope that it will again - and soon, too!

How are you doing? Is your light so shining before men that they praise your Father in Heaven?

As we serve our neighbors, friends, and family in the power of the Spirit of God, our light will begin to shine ever brighter. We will experience His joy and His glory as we seek to show it to the dark world all around us. Friends, it isn't a time for fear, but a time for boldness! Let's put our lamps up on a stand where all can see them. I am reminded of the words of an old hymn:

Brightly beams Our Father's mercy
From His lighthouse evermore,
But to us He gives the keeping
Of the lights along the shore.

Let the lower lights be burning;
Send a gleam across the wave.
Some poor fainting, struggling seaman
You may rescue, you may save.

© 1947 Lorenz Publishing Company (a div. of the Lorenz Corporation)
Charles Francis Lane | Philip Paul Bliss

Our Very Own Caitlin Springs...

Sadly, she's not in this picture!

What happens when a rollicking band of pirates meets a family of beautiful maidens and a model of a modern Major-General? Disguise, intrigue, honor, love, humor, music — it's all a part of Catawba College's upcoming production, "Pirates of Penzance," which will be performed at 6:55 p.m. Wednesday, November 14 and at 7:30 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, November 15-17, in Keppel Auditorium.

And our very own Caitlin Springs will be right there in the middle of all of the action!

Catawba Theatre Arts Professor, Dr. Beth Homan, who directs the production, seeks to question similar fundamental tenets of the American ideology, such as freedom and democracy, through the melodic mayhem of the convoluted "Pirates" plot.

In addition to Homan, David Hagy, conductor of the Salisbury Symphony, serves as music director, while Scott McLeod is the vocal coach and pianist Laurie Klaus is the rehearsal accompanist. Crew members include Jared Kenish of Glassboro, N.J., stage manager; Sara Scronce of Newton and Christine Shuster of Jackson, N.J., assistant stage managers; and Claire Alston of Kernersville, dramaturge.

Cast members include Justin Lewis of Knoxville, Tenn., as the Pirate King; Daniel Hines of Yorktown, Va., as Frederick; Jessica Taige of Wauwatosa, Wis., as Mabel; Brianna Smith of Austin, Texas, as Ruth; Michael Lasris of Seaford, Va., as the Major-General; and Paul Saylor of Isle of Palms, S.C., as the Sergeant.The Pirates include Matt Patrick of Trinity, Fla., as Sam; along with Sheldon Rogers of Waxhaw; Luke Robinson of Monroe; and Gracie Greenbaum of Tolland, Conn.; Sonny Kong of Matthews; Andy McCain of Mequon, Wis.; Mike Matthias of Georgetown, Del.; and Jordan Ellis of Shelby will double as a Pirate and a Cop. The Daughters include Guerin Piercy of Swannanoa as Kate; Caitlin Becka of Wilmington as Edith; Caitlin Springs of Santa Clara, Calif., as Isabel; Betsy Foster of Baltimore, Md.; Devon Currie of Jamestown; Nicole Bowles of Monroe; and Cecilia Runge of Milford, N.J.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for non-Catawba students and for senior citizens. For more information, please call the Catawba College Box Office at 704-637-4481. Group rates are available.

Interested in going? I have spoken with a couple folks who plan to go on Thursday night. Let's get out there and support Caitlin!

(Quotes are from THIS article at the Salisbury Post.)

Shocking!

... by one offering He (Jesus) has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. And the Holy Spirit bears witness to us; for after saying, "'This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days,' says the Lord: 'I will put my laws upon their heart, and upon their mind I will write them,'" He then says, "and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more."

Hebrews 10:14-17

Honoring Those Who Served

The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional as to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their Nation.
— George Washington








Let us solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly, on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our heritage of freedom, and let us re-consecrate ourselves to the task of promoting an enduring peace so that their efforts shall not have been in vain.
— Dwight D. Eisenhower





“We must not forget the past. We must not forget those who sacrificed, but we must also remember the reason for their sacrifice. They died so tyranny would die. They died to create a better world for those of us who followed them. Their sacrifice was not in vain.”
— Secretary of State Colin Powell as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, observing the 50th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1991.



"Throughout our history, America has been protected by patriots who cherished liberty and made great sacrifices to advance the cause of freedom. The brave members of the United States Armed Forces have answered the call to serve our Nation, ready to give all for their country. On Veterans Day, we honor these extraordinary Americans for their service and sacrifice, and we pay tribute to the legacy of freedom and peace that they have given our great Nation.

In times of war and of peace, our men and women in uniform stepped forward to defend their fellow citizens and the country they love. They shouldered great responsibility and lived up to the highest standards of duty and honor. Our veterans held fast against determined and ruthless enemies and helped save the world from tyranny and terror. They ensured that America remained what our founders meant her to be: a light to the nations, spreading the good news of human freedom to the darkest corners of the earth.

Like the heroes before them, today a new generation of men and women are fighting for freedom around the globe. Their determination, courage, and sacrifice are laying the foundation for a more secure and peaceful world.

Veterans Day is dedicated to the extraordinary Americans who protected our freedom in years past, and to those who protect it today. They represent the very best of our Nation. Every Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine, and Coast Guardsman has earned the lasting gratitude of the American people, and their service and sacrifice will be remembered forever."

- President George W. Bush

Thank you veterans for the sacrifices that you have made to allow us to live in so great a land. God bless you.

Heroes

A current, and rather popular evening television series bears the name "Heroes." I viewed the show once when it premiered last season, and never quite found me way back. To me, the folks portrayed on the screen seemed more to resemble cartoon characters than actual human heroes. While millions tune in to each episode, I will pause to reflect upon those remarkable people who I esteem as genuine, real-life heroes. Two names familiar to me come to mind:

John Gilmore Kirker, Corporal #641 Aero Squadron, US Army Air Corps, European Expeditionary Force, 1915-1918. A scant few years after Wilbur and Orville got us off the ground somebody at Headquarters decided that warfare should be airborne in the new Twentieth Century. Thus, for the first time in human history aircraft became weapons of combat. "Gil" was my Dad. He flew a solo bi-plane, carried one bomb, cruised so low and slow he literally shot at folks on the ground with a pistol, and generally tried to stay alive without killing himself in the new-fangled contraption. My hero helped secure the American way of life for my, and future generations as became a decorated World War I veteran of a foreign war. Today my father resides in heaven.

William Emery Thompson, Jr, (Retired after 18 years, Lieutenant Colonel), United States Air Force. Bill piloted a B-17 (and other craft) during World War II and beyond, flying in the Eighth Air Force in the European theater, based in England. My Father-in-law volunteered to fly a dozen extra missions (twenty-five were required, more available if you survived), and helped turn the tide in the Allies favor. His Bomb Group suffered, on average, seventy-five percent casualties. That's three out of four NOT coming back! They did not have time to learn one another's last names, and struggled to keep up with first names as the barracks received new faces every day. Today my Father-in-law resides in Central Florida. I thank him from time to time. He does not think he was a hero. He is wrong, but I let him continue in his delusion.

Veteran's Day 2007 occurs on Sunday this year so I hope many congregations of God's people will pause and remember those who have served, sacrificed, suffered and even perished to keep our nation free. Ours in Salisbury NC will do so. We will recognize and esteem those veterans with us for worship and will honor those who are afar off -- especially serving at present in the various fields of combat around the world.

A prayer of gratitude to God for the heroes among us might do you and them some good, and I am persuaded to believe that our Lord will be glad you thought of others who have served you.


GOD BLESS YOU, TROOPS... AND THANK YOU. My heart is touched by those of you who have given "that last, full measure of devotion" to the United States of America. Your gift of two lives (the one you surrendered in our behalf, and the one you would have lived if you had come home) will not be forgotten. Promise.

I salute you from the sidelines which YOU have secured for me and millions of others.

Gil and Bill, you are the best. I am humbled to be kin to the likes of you. In your honor, I will leave my screen blank when the TV show comes on -- whenever that is.

Wheels

I remember being ten years old.
I remember being ten years old, wanting to be sixteen years old.

After waiting about six years it actually happened. On that one, solitary, magical day back a LONG time ago, I experienced several "firsts" of memorable proportions. That one day immediately after Labor Day when the new academic year commenced, I:
1. I started my Junior year at a new High School (that was hard)
2. Met a friend who is still my very best and closest (that has been easy)
3. Began to learn how to type (that's "keyboarding" for all you folks under thirty)
4. Started dating a cheerleader (switched to a different cheerleader some weeks later)
5. Celebrated my sixteenth birthday (after years of "x-ing" out my jail-house calendar), and
6. Hallelujah! I got my first Driver's License!
7. I also drove to school in my own 1964, shiny red convertible Chevy Impala (more later)

Big day.
I think my family might have made some remembrance of the milestone, but I could not swear to it in a court of law. They probably did, though. I don't know. It didn't really matter to me. What I remember most, of course, was obtaining my first "emancipation proclamation." What? You didn't view YOUR first driver's license as a huge means of freedom? I surely did. I just knew that my life would never be the same from that point onward. That's been proven true.

I got my "wheels" after saving my meager allowance and earnings beginning from age eight. It became my habit to take -- and later, mail -- my small deposits to my local bank, and then the BIG bank in Detroit, some fifty miles away. Funny thing, after a few years all those quarters and dimes started to have dollars in front of them in my bank book. Sweet! (Ah, the miracle of compound interest!)

Mom had promised me something at the outset of my saving adventure: "However much money you accumulate over the next eight years, your father and I will match it, so you can buy a car of your own when you turn sixteen." I thought I had won the lottery. Well, I didn't actually know what a lottery was in the third grade, but if I had, I would have thought I had won it. I stashed away nine hundred dollars over eight years. That was real money back then.

Oh, did I mention that I was certifiably CRAZY about cars? I was. I knew every model (back when every car and model actually looked different!), how much it cost, the engine displacement, the top speed she could go, and almost everything else anyone could know about cars without ever having owned one. Cars seemed to me to be the highest form of art. I LOVED cars then. I still have a strong affection for certain ones. Lulu is among the fond memories -- the shiny, red, convertible 1964 Chevy Impala.

On my birthday I was so excited that I bolted out of the house so I could fire up the dream chariot and motor over to the High School and park it in plain sight of all those kids I had never met. Yes, I was a shallow kid. And, YES the other kids at that school were also sufficiently shallow so that my arrival DID create something of a stir. I just parked it there, got out and looked at, started for the building, when back to brush a piece of lint off the perfect fender, turned to go inside and once more walked around the beauty before entering Marysville High School for the first time as a student.

There WAS a problem, however.
I did not have my license yet. At lunch hour, though, I drove across the street (yes, drove) to my Dad's medical practice and gathered him up for the trip to the Sheriff's Office in Port Huron. That made me legal, because I passed the written, vision, and road tests with flying colors. Bliss. Joy unspeakable. Freedom. Wheels!

Over two million miles later I still confess to a love affair with the automobile. Do I wish she were more economical? Yes. Do I prefer a somewhat slower pace these days compared to those heady times of testosterone poisoning? Sure. Am I going to get a scooter and save money and go really slow? NO! Wheels are just as intoxicating to me now as when I was a teenager. (By the way, boys and girls, never drive while intoxicated.)

Lulu has long since become razor blades or some other recycled hunk of steel. Too bad. If she were in the same shape as when she rolled into my driveway those many years ago, I could fetch a price MANY multiples of her cost to me then.

Okay, all that to say that the Middle School students of StillWaters, and their MANY friends, are invited to enjoy a pre-Christmas evening of roller skating at the KidSports Rink near the Salisbury Mall. Middle-schoolers, these will be YOUR wheels for the time being. Pretty low horse power, and not a lot of safety features built into roller skates, but they are wheels, nonetheless. More about the fun night on SUNDAY, 9 DECEMBER 2007 will be announced.

For those of you wondering, yes I DID receive three speeding tickets in the course of about three week a year or so later. That was enough to convince me of the foolishness of that. And, whenever I see a shiny, red, 1964 convertible Chevy Impala I longingly reflect on my Lulu.

God's best to each of you, and drive safely!

Devote The Coming Year To Prayer For Our Nation's Leadership

Election Day has just passed. I hope that you remembered to vote and that you were pleased with the results. As American Christians one of the great ways that we can be "salt and light" is to participate in the political process by voting.

The campaign for our next president began in earnest early this year (although it was begun the moment the last election was settled). Perhaps you are perplexed about the choices that are being presented before us. I know that I am. One of the greatest things that we can do over the coming year is to diligently pray that God will cause our nation to choose His choice for president and His choices for the other offices that will be up for election.

The folks at the Presidential Prayer Team have developed a website to help us as we are praying for our country. It is called Pray the Vote 2008. You can check it out HERE. There are large parts of the site under construction, but it looks like it will be a valuable resource.


"When you become entitled to exercise the right of voting for public officers, let it be impressed on your mind that God commands you to choose for rulers, "just men who will rule in the fear of God." The preservation of [our] government depends on the faithful discharge of this Duty; if the citizens neglect their Duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted; laws will be made, not for the public good so much as for selfish or local purposes; corrupt or incompetent men will be appointed to execute the Laws; the public revenues will be squandered on unworthy men; and the rights of the citizen will be violated or disregarded. If [our] government fails to secure public prosperity and happiness, it must be because the citizens neglect the Divine Commands, and elect bad men to make and administer the Laws." - Noah Webster

How true.

Praying For Those In Authority

“Prayer changes lives and history. Praying for America’s officials will empower them to provide inspired, courageous, moral leadership during the domestic and international crises facing all Americans.”

— General John Wickham, former US Army Chief of Staff and member of the Presidential Prayer Team Honorary Committee

Heroes

The Four Chaplains

While our nation’s military history holds countless stories of heroism and sacrifice, within that history stands the story of the Four Chaplains, considered the greatest heroes of the Army Chaplaincy.

The backgrounds of these men were diverse, reflecting their constituency on the Dorchester, the transport ship on which they served. Chaplain George Fox was a Methodist minister from Vermont; Chaplain Alex Goode, a rabbi from Pennsylvania; Chaplain Clark Poling from Michigan, a former pastor in the Christian Reformed Church; and Chaplain John Washington, a Roman Catholic priest from Newark, New Jersey.

Having met at Harvard University during chaplaincy training, they came together on the troopship Dorchester during the cold winter of 1943, as it sailed to Great Britain transporting over 900 Army soldiers.

Read the REST of the story HERE.

And HERE is a fuller account. (Turn you speakers down if you don't want to hear the schmaltzy midi soundtrack.)

Are You A Well?

God wants to do more than give you a drink from His well of life. He wants to make you into a well of living water, so others will be able to drink from your life.

Sadly, most of the church has emphasized getting a drink far more than becoming a well. This is part of the reason that many Christians have no real interest in the Kingdom of God beyond the satisfaction of their own needs.

…If this is your attitude, God wants to deal with your heart today. He wants to deal with you because the people around you are desperate for a well. (emphasis mine)

You must not continue to think that some anointed evangelist or incredible pastor is going to be used by God to touch all of your friends. In most cases, your friends will want to take their first spiritual drink from a trusted source, and whether you like it or not, the water they desire the most is probably the life they see flowing out of you.


- Jim Laffoon @ Our Daily Blog

Happenings

Please note that there are some changes this week and with our holiday plans!

This week, in lieu of the usual Oasis Diner we will be caravaning over to the Carangelos' home in Mooresville for their decorating party in preparation for the first annual Carangelo Christmas Party. Please note that the time is from 3:30-7:30 instead of the usual 5:30-7:00.

Coming up next Sunday is the annual joint Thanksgiving service between Back Creek Presbyterian, New Hope Presbyterian, and StillWaters. The service is at 6:30 PM at Back Creek Presbyterian. There will be a fellowship afterwards. Please bring finger foods. Click HERE for a map and directions from Kidsports.

On the Sunday after Thanksgiving, the Kirkers are sponsoring their decorating party. The time is from 3:30 - 7:30. Dinner will be provided.

Finally, the big events, yes, EVENTS on December 2. You already know about the Kirkers' drop in party from 4:30-7:30, but the Carangelos have moved their party to the December 2 as well from 5:30-7:30. Please mark your calendars!

It is an exciting time in the life of our church. Please be praying for the success of these events and for our neighbors' hearts to be open to the gospel. Even if you can't host a party this season, be praying about ways that you can serve your neighbors and show them God's love in a very practical and tangible way as we enter the holidays.

Good Quote (Thanks again, Luke!)

"Who stands fast? Only the man whose final standard is not his reason, his principles, his conscience, his freedom, or his virtue, but who is ready to sacrifice all this when he is called to obedient and responsible action in faith and in exclusive allegiance to God--the responsible man, who tries to make his whole life an answer to the question and call of God."

- Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Great News!

My good friend and editor of the blog "Thoughts Along The Way," Deborah, was able to witness the rebirth of her youngest child this morning!

Children have such a zeal for all of life's treasures, no wonder the Lord said to come to Him as little children! I think the Lord delights in their "ooooo's" and bubbly joy. One of life's richest treasures is that of our salvation. Little did I know the Lord had a blessed treasure awaiting me this morning, that of the privilege to lead our youngest to the Lord!

While the two older children were upstairs studying, he and I were sitting in our family room listening to beautiful worship music when I sensed the Lord beckoning me to talk with him. So I turned down the music and there as we cuddled together on the couch, I began talking to him about the importance of making his own decision to let the Lord come into his heart. I prayed softly over him and told him to listen for the Lord. I let him know I would be there for him if he decided to open his heart to Jesus. I turned the music back up and sat holding this precious child of mine. After a few minutes, he sat up and said, "I want to ask Jesus into my heart now -- right now." And so -- he did! After I prayed over him for the second time that morning, he cuddled back up into my arms and laid there for some time -- breathing deep -- at perfect peace. Some moments later, he bounded off the couch and ran upstairs to find his older brother and sister to tell them the good news. They were so excited for him! They proceeded to bounce around -- hugging him and telling him how happy they were that he was now a part of our Christian family forever and forever. He also wasted no time in sharing his news with "daddy" at work. It was a time of much rejoicing!

Join us in thanking God for our new little brother!

Offended?

After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee. When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?"

Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me." Matthew 11:1-6

...Out of every human on the planet, how could John the Baptist be in danger of falling away? What had offended him so deeply that he would question the very man whose ministry he had been sent into the world to confirm?

These questions are important because sooner or later, you, too, like John, may be tempted to become offended at the God you love so much....

...like John, they have been placed in difficult circumstances. Whether they feel imprisoned emotionally, physically, financially, or spiritually, their sense of reality gradually becomes distorted in their darkness.

In this state, they can easily begin to question God’s love for them and His purpose for their life....

Wherever you are today, I beg you not to become offended with God. It doesn’t matter how horrible your circumstances are, or how disappointed you have become. If you simply wait on Him, He will bring to light His purposes for your life in the midst of your darkness.


Jim Laffoon @ Our Daily Blog

What Are You Sick Of?

“Sin is the sickness of the soul. It is deforming, weakening, disquieting, wasting, killing, but blessed be God, not incurable. Jesus Christ is the great Physician of souls. Wise and good men should be as physicians to all about them; Christ was so. Sin-sick souls have need of this Physician, for their disease is dangerous; nature will not help itself; no man can help us; such need have we of Christ that we are undone, eternally undone, without him. There are multitudes who fancy themselves to be sound and whole, who think they have no need of Christ, but that they can do for themselves well enough without him…Christ came not with an expectation of succeeding among the ‘righteous’, those who conceit themselves so, and therefore will sooner be sick of their Savior than sick of their sins, but among the convinced humble sinners; to them Christ will come, for to them he will be welcome.”
Matthew Henry, Commentary on Matthew 9

Guilt Free Sack Time

Zzzzzzzzzzz.
I can almost hear it now . . .
All the sleepy-heads enjoying their extra hour of rest and relaxation due to Daylight Saving Time. Well, actually, due entirely to the reverting FROM Daylight Saving Time in favor of Standard Time. Welcome back, solar time. Welcome back "normal." Welcome back sunrise.

Please remember to join us at StillWaters, 2324 South Main Street, Salisbury NC (KidSports facility behind "The Forum" gym), as we gather to worship Christ together. Let's plan on a solemn and celebratory fellowship with God and His people.

TURN YOUR CLOCKS BACK ONE HOUR BEFORE GOING TO BED TONIGHT.

Don't say I didn't warn you!

Oh, and if you show up on DST, we will welcome you to join the Set-Up Crew in preparation of our gathered worship. *Actually, we would LOVE to have you!

Nite, nite!
Till then.

Welcome Home

HOME.

Just the sound of the word can cause a sense of well-being and relaxation, and walking through the door can actually bring about a comfort unknown elsewhere. After all, it's HOME. It's were I live. It's my place. I have my stuff here. My family surrounds me here. HOME.

Today, two young folks came home.

The relatively short distance between Rowan Regional Medical Center and the Vriesema home near Catawba College was the longest trip Lydia Marie has ever taken. (Her most difficult trip was being born on the 31st!) Woo Hoo, she's home. Let's agree in prayer that our Lord overflow His blessings to our dear friends, and allow a wonderful transition into the "rest of their lives" together.

A good bit longer trip was taken by our own local hero, David Taylor Harrison, USMC. Taylor made it back to North Carolina from Fallujah, Iraq following his second tour of duty in the war which continues. David, Angela, Skyler and Chase and the entire extended family rejoices at his safe return. We join them. This fine young man is a remarkable example of integrity, commitment, strength, and faith. We now may add our prayers to those of his loved ones who may see and hold Taylor again. Hallelujah.

Welcome home, you two. May you both grow and delight in the grace of Jesus Christ.

By the way, the best home and the best welcome will come along side our Savior as He brings us to be with Him in paradise after this life is through. By His grace and through faith we will be ushered into a place of mansions, according to some translations of the Scripture's promises.

I like it here a lot, but I am ready to go home.

How Do You Know?

How do you know which decision to make when faced with options?
It can be an especially challenging task when more than one of the choices before us is seem equally "good." I do not intend here to tell you the option to take when considering a career, a home location, a school to attend, the mate to marry, or even pork versus beef brisket barbecue. I do hope to provide some guidelines, however, for your evaluation of a local Christian congregation.

A dozen "Biblical" characteristics.

1. Biblical THEOLOGY. A congregation which knows and teaches the truth about the One, True God of the Bible as He reveals Himself.
2. Biblical WORLDVIEW. A congregation which shares an understanding of global human needs and God's unconditional, perfect and personal provision.
3. Biblical MESSAGE. A congregation which communicates compassionately that those deserving judgment may receive forgiveness and life through Jesus Christ.
4. Biblical PREACHING. A congregation which strives carefully to explain the meaning and application(s) of God's Word, the Scriptures in a culturally engaging way.
5. Biblical IMPACT. A congregation which reaches its wider community with the truth about their deepest spiritual needs, and their real consequences.
6. Biblical HUMILITY. A congregation which demonstrates an appropriate wisdom in knowing the local congregation is not perfect.
7. Biblical LEADERSHIP. A congregation which identifies and trains mature, right-hearted officers to serve as models and mentors to shape generations.
8. Biblical TRANSFORMATIONS. A congregation which invites and facilitates radical spiritual changes for good among the people, as well as sincere forgiveness and encouragement for all.
9. Biblical DISCIPLINE. A congregation which equips, teaches, challenges and corrects thought and behavior according to scriptural principles, without condemnation.
10. Biblical GATHERINGS. A congregation which unites people for specific purposes, such as worship, service and restoration, and gladly welcomes neighbors to join.
11. Biblical MEMBERSHIP. A congregation which welcomes fellow travelers through life in a supportive, extended family of faith relationship.
12. Biblical GROWTH. A congregation which increases people's thoughtful and prayerful understanding -- and its numbers -- in a healthy and consistent fashion.

So, how do you decide whether a local congregation is a "good" one?
Well, in my humble opinion you will want to discover in a fellowship of saints as many as possible of the above distinctives. Remember, though, do it with a generous and gracious spirit.

There you go, these are for free. Hopefully, they will be valuable to you now and in the future. You may just want to suggest these characteristics to your family, friends and neighbors, as well. It may be that you will be used of God to inform those close to you as to how to get close to God and His people. That should fill your sails for a while.

As for me, I'll take the pulled pork BBQ.
(A little vinegar, a little mustard, and a little ketchup based sauce, please -- you see, I just can't decide!)