I am being pressed forward in the Spirit to assume my position. How about you? Each one of us in Christ has a position that we MUST assume. His Bride must be ready for her Groom! We can't fulfill our life's mission if we don't boldly step into that rightful place He has for us.
- Deborah @ Thoughts Along The Way
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
A Little Music To Help You Through The Day
StillWaters Jazz Band will be playing at Dixie's TOMORROW from 12:00 Noon to 2:00. I hope you can make it out. It should be a good time.We had a great rehearsal last night, so I am hopeful for a really good outing on Saturday. We're even having another one tonight!
Tomorrow will be the public debut for my first jazz song, Dog Days Of Dixie, written in memory and as a tribute to the namesake of Dixie's, Dixie the bloodhound.
According to the reports that I have seen it looks like it could rain tomorrow, so that will give you a good excuse to come on out and hang around at the coffee house. The coffee is good, the atmosphere is pleasant, the prices are reasonable, and there will be jazz! What more could you want?
We look forward to playing for you. See you there!
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Wonderful News!
OK, this is a little late, but I figure better late than never. I got some great news from Luke D a former member at StillWaters about the medical condition of his son, Josh. Some of you may remember that Josh nearly died several times as a result of complications from a surgery that he had. It was really touch and go there for quite a while. I'll let Luke give you the details:
Josh's life and successful independence from the trach is testimony to God's faithfulness and the efficacy of prayer. Perhaps you are facing a huge challenge that is causing you to doubt God's goodness and His care for you, but let this story encourage you that God loves YOU and is working for YOUR good. Don't give up - even when the "experts" (like the "doctor" that thought they should just stop wasting resources on Josh and let him die) tell you there is no hope. With God there is always hope. NOTHING is too hard for our God.
That certainly doesn't mean that the road won't be difficult. If you knew the whole story behind this wonderful report, you would know that there were some very dark days and some heart-wrenching cries to God, questioning how He could allow this to happen. You would realize that there were excruciating weeks spent in hospitals where there was little hope offered and exhausting hours spent caring for this brave little soldier.
But God has come through! Take Him at His word when He says, "For I know the plans that I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."
Just so you know the context...
Many doctors said Josh might not eat by mouth again.
Josh ate solid food at Thanksgiving.
Some doctors said Josh would not get off the vent.
Josh hasn't used the vent since December 21st.
One PICU doctor raised questions about Josh's future "quality of life" and suggested that we just take Josh home and "let nature take its course".
We know that God determines what Josh's life will be, and because He loves Josh, we can rest in that hope.
Virtually all the doctors (except pulmonology) said he'd never get rid of the trach.
(You know where this is headed...)
TODAY DR. SIMPSER REMOVED JOSH'S TRACH!
Out it came, and Josh continued breathing normally! In fact, he has not had to be suctioned once since the trach's removal at 2:15 pm EDT! He is on his bipap now sleeping comfortably and enjoying this new turn of events. We will change the gauze over the small hole in his neck tomorrow, and the hole should be half the size then. It should close off completely in a bit and all that will be left is a slight scar.
There is still more to be done in terms of Josh's strength and speech, but therapy is dealing with that. This trach issue has long been viewed by Josh as the summit of the mountain he needed to climb. For some time, he has expressed that he will be "normal" when he gets the trach out. No matter how much encouragement and prayer we have given him, he still has struggled with his image. Since mid-afternoon today, Josh has been positively glowing.
Josh's life and successful independence from the trach is testimony to God's faithfulness and the efficacy of prayer. Perhaps you are facing a huge challenge that is causing you to doubt God's goodness and His care for you, but let this story encourage you that God loves YOU and is working for YOUR good. Don't give up - even when the "experts" (like the "doctor" that thought they should just stop wasting resources on Josh and let him die) tell you there is no hope. With God there is always hope. NOTHING is too hard for our God.
That certainly doesn't mean that the road won't be difficult. If you knew the whole story behind this wonderful report, you would know that there were some very dark days and some heart-wrenching cries to God, questioning how He could allow this to happen. You would realize that there were excruciating weeks spent in hospitals where there was little hope offered and exhausting hours spent caring for this brave little soldier.
But God has come through! Take Him at His word when He says, "For I know the plans that I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
SJB Gig Update
The StillWaters Jazz Band will be playing March 29 from 12:00 Noon to 2:00 PM. The time is a little different than I had reported earlier. Hope to see you there!
An Amazing Lyric
I found this lyric posted on the blog Crying Out To Make God Beautiful recently and thought that it was pretty amazing. There are some really unexpected lyric turns. I hope you enjoy it.
I heard He’s up there in that room
I’m afraid—I don’t know what to do
If He only knew what I’ve done He might never even look at me
I have to climb those stairs
I have to find His voice
As I make my way through the crowds nobody sees me, nobody notices me
I walk up those stairs and through the window I hear Him talking—telling parables
I can hear Him telling parables, I can understand what He’s saying
I should have changed my clothes
I’ve had this dress on for almost two weeks now and it’s stained in my sin
My sin—it’s like stains all over this garment but I have to climb those stairs
The room is crowded and I can’t see Him
He’s kneeled down and He’s talking in parables again
I just make my way over to the right and I lean against the wall
There’s an opening between the phrases
And I make my way, I make my break and I run and throw myself at His feet—and I weep
I have this perfume
I know it’s a gift from my lovers—it’s the only thing I have
So I break the neck of the bottle and start to pour my life
My mother forgot my name
My father disappeared when I was just a girl
I was used by everyone, abused by everyone and I was angry
So I ran and hid in the darkness—can you smell my darkness Lord?
Can you smell my sin, it’s being poured on you
And I worship you here at your feet
I hear them talking about me but I keep pouring
This is my one chance, this is my one hope, I have nothing left,
I’m gonna give you everything
Because I heard you heal the sick
I heard you give sight to the blind
I heard you would father the orphan
I heard you would be a husband to the widow
I heard you would forgive my sin
Demons will flee when the fragrance is lifted
Restoration comes when the fragrance is lifted
I’ve never known anyone in my life to look at me the way He is right now
He rebuked them in my presence and took my face in His hands
He looked in through my skin and said
“The fragrance is lifted. I can smell your worship daughter. You are free”
So I dance in a circle and I laugh out loud for the first time in my life
Cause the fragrance has been lifted—the fragrance was lifted
And I have the smell of His feet in my hair
Where He walked I can tell
Because the fragrance is lifted
-Rita Springer
I heard He’s up there in that room
I’m afraid—I don’t know what to do
If He only knew what I’ve done He might never even look at me
I have to climb those stairs
I have to find His voice
As I make my way through the crowds nobody sees me, nobody notices me
I walk up those stairs and through the window I hear Him talking—telling parables
I can hear Him telling parables, I can understand what He’s saying
I should have changed my clothes
I’ve had this dress on for almost two weeks now and it’s stained in my sin
My sin—it’s like stains all over this garment but I have to climb those stairs
The room is crowded and I can’t see Him
He’s kneeled down and He’s talking in parables again
I just make my way over to the right and I lean against the wall
There’s an opening between the phrases
And I make my way, I make my break and I run and throw myself at His feet—and I weep
I have this perfume
I know it’s a gift from my lovers—it’s the only thing I have
So I break the neck of the bottle and start to pour my life
My mother forgot my name
My father disappeared when I was just a girl
I was used by everyone, abused by everyone and I was angry
So I ran and hid in the darkness—can you smell my darkness Lord?
Can you smell my sin, it’s being poured on you
And I worship you here at your feet
I hear them talking about me but I keep pouring
This is my one chance, this is my one hope, I have nothing left,
I’m gonna give you everything
Because I heard you heal the sick
I heard you give sight to the blind
I heard you would father the orphan
I heard you would be a husband to the widow
I heard you would forgive my sin
Demons will flee when the fragrance is lifted
Restoration comes when the fragrance is lifted
I’ve never known anyone in my life to look at me the way He is right now
He rebuked them in my presence and took my face in His hands
He looked in through my skin and said
“The fragrance is lifted. I can smell your worship daughter. You are free”
So I dance in a circle and I laugh out loud for the first time in my life
Cause the fragrance has been lifted—the fragrance was lifted
And I have the smell of His feet in my hair
Where He walked I can tell
Because the fragrance is lifted
-Rita Springer
Regarding Preaching
Sunday is about preaching the Word of God without compromise and leading believers into a time of worship. We are not seeker-sensitive…we don’t pull out all of the stops for guests. Sunday wasn’t Scripturally meant for them…it was mainly intended for the believer. Don’t get me wrong…we know that guests come to Compass Point on Sundays…and we want them to feel welcomed. We have greeters, Starbucks coffee and decent signage. We explain what each element of the service is so we don’t throw people off. However, when the preaching begins…that’s where “guest friendly” stops. Other church planters always ask me how we keep reaching people that are so far from God…it’s because we couldn’t give a rip about coddling them. People far from God…that venture into Compass Point…are already being engaged by the Holy Spirit. They aren’t looking for budget plans for their finances, their purpose in life or how to have better sex…they are looking for a Savior. If they want “self help” fluff they can get a Tony Robbins video or buy a “Marriage For Dummies” book at Barnes & Noble. If they come to Compass Point…it’s because they want to hear the Word of God…unfiltered. My job on Sunday is not to baby sit consumers…my job is to confront sin…for believers and unbelievers…through the uncompromised preaching of God’s Word.
- Chris Elrod (from his blog, Chris Elrod Dot Com)
- Chris Elrod (from his blog, Chris Elrod Dot Com)
Are You On Double Secret Probation?
I got this devotional thought from our brother, Rick, and thought it should be shared here. Please don't see it as an endorsement of the movie, Animal House. Neither Conspiracy of Kindness nor our brother would recommend that you watch it. It simply isn't edifying.
- Cephas
"We must constantly remind ourselves that Satan's thumb isn't bigger than God's. Try as he might to put it on us, our comfort is that God's is on him." - Rick
1PE 5:8-9
"8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings."
Lessons from Animal House:
"Sometimes life can feel like its lived under a double secret probation... like a big thumb hovering over our every move waiting to squash us at every little mistake. It seemingly follows us all our days making us wonder if there is any real hope of freedom, eternity, an assured relationship with God. We think it causes our stumbling, suffering and pains, and that it be the thumb of God. But when we receive Christ we find that the thumb is Satan seeking to destroy what life Christ has given us.
When we feel this stalker, our skin crawls, our heart quickens, our breathing becomes more shallow. Aha! Because of Christ we are now aware of what we could not know before. We keep ourself under control by letting God be in control. Satan says "you're not going to get away with it this time, smart guy" but God replies to him that his accusations are groundless because Jesus Christ went to that eternal detention on our behalf. This sets us free from the fear of Satan's looming thumb because it looms no more.
We must constantly remind ourselves that Satan's thumb isn't bigger than God's. Try as he might to put it on us, our comfort is that God's is on him." Rick
- Cephas
"We must constantly remind ourselves that Satan's thumb isn't bigger than God's. Try as he might to put it on us, our comfort is that God's is on him." - Rick
1PE 5:8-9
"8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings."
Lessons from Animal House:
"Sometimes life can feel like its lived under a double secret probation... like a big thumb hovering over our every move waiting to squash us at every little mistake. It seemingly follows us all our days making us wonder if there is any real hope of freedom, eternity, an assured relationship with God. We think it causes our stumbling, suffering and pains, and that it be the thumb of God. But when we receive Christ we find that the thumb is Satan seeking to destroy what life Christ has given us.
When we feel this stalker, our skin crawls, our heart quickens, our breathing becomes more shallow. Aha! Because of Christ we are now aware of what we could not know before. We keep ourself under control by letting God be in control. Satan says "you're not going to get away with it this time, smart guy" but God replies to him that his accusations are groundless because Jesus Christ went to that eternal detention on our behalf. This sets us free from the fear of Satan's looming thumb because it looms no more.
We must constantly remind ourselves that Satan's thumb isn't bigger than God's. Try as he might to put it on us, our comfort is that God's is on him." Rick
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Honor
When there is a lack of honor in government, the morals of the whole people are poisoned. There is no such thing as a no-man's land between honesty and dishonesty. Our strength lies in spiritual concepts. It lies in public sensitiveness to evil. Our greatest danger is not from invasion by foreign armies. Our dangers are that we may commit suicide from within by complaisance with evil, or by public tolerance of scandalous behavior.
— President Herbert Hoover
Monday, March 10, 2008
Do Not Fear the Ides of March
Talk about a noteworthy weekend slate of events . . . consider the following menu of opportunities for the coming Saturday and Sunday:
1. "The Ides of March" The middle of the month, occurring this Saturday the 15th. Carol and Cameron invite you join us for a fun, food, and fellowship gathering starting at 6 pm. RSVP
2. "Palm Sunday" The commemoration of the Triumphal Entry of Christ into Jerusalem just days prior to His week-long teaching, challenging and suffering time. Sunday the 16th.
3. "St. Patrick's Day" A much storied and lively celebration of the patron saint of Ireland. Folks around the world take this opportunity to . . . well, let's just say celebrate. Wonder what Paddy would think of it all? Maybe other saints are turning green with envy!
Caitlin Springs would like you to know about a musical offering this weekend too:
The Catawba College Singers and Madrigals have a big concert at 6 p.m. this Sunday, March 16, in our chapel on campus. Meggie, Zach, and I will all be singing. We just got back this past Thursday from an 8-day choir tour. We sang at churches in SC, FL, and GA and got a wonderful response from each of the congregations. I really like the music that we are singing and would love if any of my Still Waters family could make it.
Enjoy your week, everyone. This just might be an excellent time to reflect upon the Christ as He navigated the final week on earth prior to the Crucifixion and Resurrection. It's in a great little book titled the Bible. (you knew that) The Gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are excellent sources for information and inspiration on the matter, so consult them soon.
God's best to each of you.
1. "The Ides of March" The middle of the month, occurring this Saturday the 15th. Carol and Cameron invite you join us for a fun, food, and fellowship gathering starting at 6 pm. RSVP
2. "Palm Sunday" The commemoration of the Triumphal Entry of Christ into Jerusalem just days prior to His week-long teaching, challenging and suffering time. Sunday the 16th.
3. "St. Patrick's Day" A much storied and lively celebration of the patron saint of Ireland. Folks around the world take this opportunity to . . . well, let's just say celebrate. Wonder what Paddy would think of it all? Maybe other saints are turning green with envy!
Caitlin Springs would like you to know about a musical offering this weekend too:
The Catawba College Singers and Madrigals have a big concert at 6 p.m. this Sunday, March 16, in our chapel on campus. Meggie, Zach, and I will all be singing. We just got back this past Thursday from an 8-day choir tour. We sang at churches in SC, FL, and GA and got a wonderful response from each of the congregations. I really like the music that we are singing and would love if any of my Still Waters family could make it.
Enjoy your week, everyone. This just might be an excellent time to reflect upon the Christ as He navigated the final week on earth prior to the Crucifixion and Resurrection. It's in a great little book titled the Bible. (you knew that) The Gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are excellent sources for information and inspiration on the matter, so consult them soon.
God's best to each of you.
Monday, March 3, 2008
StillWaters Jazz Band Update
The gig on Saturday, March 15, 2008 has been postponed to the Saturday after Easter.
StillWaters Jazz Band will be playing at Dixie's on Main Street in China Grove on Saturday, March 29, 2008. I assume that the time is 1:00 to 3:00 PM, but I'll verify that and get back to you.
Sorry things got postponed, but we should have a few new songs in our repertoire by then. We are working on Stormy Weather, Bye Bye Blackbird, and Deep River Blues. Hopefully we'll be ready to share them with you on the 29th!
See you then!
StillWaters Jazz Band will be playing at Dixie's on Main Street in China Grove on Saturday, March 29, 2008. I assume that the time is 1:00 to 3:00 PM, but I'll verify that and get back to you.
Sorry things got postponed, but we should have a few new songs in our repertoire by then. We are working on Stormy Weather, Bye Bye Blackbird, and Deep River Blues. Hopefully we'll be ready to share them with you on the 29th!
See you then!
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