During this special time of Christmas-Thanks-Giving Season I have been continuing to remember folks that I am thankful for or individuals that I remember in a mode of thanks because of their investment in others.
Mary Asher Wilson is one of those “gems” that I’ve been thinking about. To many she was just a little lady that played the organ at church, but she was so much more. Ms. Mary as she was affectionately known, was a lady who played the organ faithfully at her church, was a most devoted follower of Jesus, and she was a true giver of gifts. The gift most precious to me would be the gift of herself she shared on many occasions.
Please know that I am not an alone single individual that has a unique insight into Ms. Mary. I am one of hundreds of hundreds touched through my teen years back in Bell County, but she and her husband have touch thousands upon thousands throughout Kentucky and the world. Ms. Mary built at least one building to honor her family at Cumberland College, now the University of the Cumberlands, Georgetown and Campbellsville not to mention contributions to Clear Creek Baptist Bible College.
Today as I write I am thinking about her beautiful shining white hair, that pleasant demeanor that would put one at ease, her quietness and sincere desire you would feel when asking her a question or as she would listen at you talk. She had great quality and was someone who cherished the blessings God had given her, and she was willing to let others benefits from God’s goodness. Now that type of character is just as unique today as it was then, and it lives on because she made the attempt to invest in others, trusting them in their own visions, and aspirations.
I love singing and enjoy music and Ms. Mary did too. I received my first ever Carson Silver Dollar from her, but most cherished was just her playing the organ and me singing. My memory recalls her saying “why don’t you sing it this way, and I will do this with the organ and that will sound nice”. She was always right, and I learned one of those valuable lessons in life about trying old things new ways from her.
Leading the church congregation in singing was a treat too. Directing the congregation in singing with her at the organ playing was always fun because she would follow your lead, and for someone that was so young, leading someone with age and experience it was a valuable experience. I learned through that experience the beauty of team work, mutual trust and respect.
This Christmas I am thinking about hearing her say, I love the decorations, but I will need to have a clear view to the pulpit to follow the director, so the organ would have little sitting up in a big fan fair way. My most cherished thoughts of Ms. Mary would be her sitting in that little chair next to the organ, listening to the preaching of God’s word. While playing the organ, it would need to be line of sight, but when not playing she would quietly sit in a hidden spot so as not to disturb the movement of the Holy Spirit by moving around or being seen getting ready for the invitational hymn.
Precious memories, how then linger, and how they ever fill our souls. May this Christmas cause you to also remember someone that made a difference in your life because they gave of themselves to your benefit.
Until then.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Celebration of the Advent Season
The church has begun the Advent Season, full of all her colors, symbols, anticipation and spiritual hope. There are churches that will have special services that mark this time of Advent, while others will never mention the words Advent in any worship service or call attention to this type of planned season of celebration.
Growing up I was exposed to the Advent Season because of Dr. Harold Wortman.
Dr. Wortman served as Minister of Music at the First Baptist Church Pineville, and through his ministry special music marked the Christian way of faith and highlighted this unique time. While the children of Israel were slaves in Egypt under bitter oppression, experiencing the tyranny of injustice they prayed for deliverance. Today, we long in anticipation and hope of the coming Savior as King, looking for His return. This is the meaning and reasoning for the Advent Season and all the reason to celebrate.
My personal education of this season continued at Cumberland College. Dr. Wortman served as Chairman of the Music Department and his leadership in services like the Hanging of the Green held on campus provided additional learning used still. Doc loved this time of the year, the wreaths, candles, colors, and of course, more especially the music. Written previously I’ve shared I believe Christmas is a great time to advance my favorite week of the years theme, thanks-giving.
A memory of Dr. Wortman in my music education would be the song and prayer “Come, O Come Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel”. I can hear him even now saying, “Think about their longing and desire for freedom. Add that to your personal experience of asking Jesus to come into your heart”, remembering that freedom from sin and he thought adding longing to be delivered and set free with being set free, one should have all they need to celebrate. Doc was right, freedom plus freedom equals freedom and that is a great spirit to have and celebrate. If forgiveness of sin, deliverance from the wrongs of persecution and the promise of Heaven does not give you an emotion of freedom then I would suggest you are still in slavery and I would invite you to ask Jesus to come into your heart.
This is a great time for Churches to celebrate the real meaning of Christmas through Advent Services and emphasis and this is a perfect time for Christians to stop and ask those we meet if they knew why the anticipated arrival of the Christ child was so important and how it relate to us today.
Life has provided many experiences for me in learning about Jesus through church, church programs, Sunday School, children/youth events, people like Dr. Wortman, who had such an influence on my life, and I’m just praying that I am leaving something behind that will point others to the Star of Bethlehem, just as I have been.
Until then
Growing up I was exposed to the Advent Season because of Dr. Harold Wortman.
Dr. Wortman served as Minister of Music at the First Baptist Church Pineville, and through his ministry special music marked the Christian way of faith and highlighted this unique time. While the children of Israel were slaves in Egypt under bitter oppression, experiencing the tyranny of injustice they prayed for deliverance. Today, we long in anticipation and hope of the coming Savior as King, looking for His return. This is the meaning and reasoning for the Advent Season and all the reason to celebrate.
My personal education of this season continued at Cumberland College. Dr. Wortman served as Chairman of the Music Department and his leadership in services like the Hanging of the Green held on campus provided additional learning used still. Doc loved this time of the year, the wreaths, candles, colors, and of course, more especially the music. Written previously I’ve shared I believe Christmas is a great time to advance my favorite week of the years theme, thanks-giving.
A memory of Dr. Wortman in my music education would be the song and prayer “Come, O Come Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel”. I can hear him even now saying, “Think about their longing and desire for freedom. Add that to your personal experience of asking Jesus to come into your heart”, remembering that freedom from sin and he thought adding longing to be delivered and set free with being set free, one should have all they need to celebrate. Doc was right, freedom plus freedom equals freedom and that is a great spirit to have and celebrate. If forgiveness of sin, deliverance from the wrongs of persecution and the promise of Heaven does not give you an emotion of freedom then I would suggest you are still in slavery and I would invite you to ask Jesus to come into your heart.
This is a great time for Churches to celebrate the real meaning of Christmas through Advent Services and emphasis and this is a perfect time for Christians to stop and ask those we meet if they knew why the anticipated arrival of the Christ child was so important and how it relate to us today.
Life has provided many experiences for me in learning about Jesus through church, church programs, Sunday School, children/youth events, people like Dr. Wortman, who had such an influence on my life, and I’m just praying that I am leaving something behind that will point others to the Star of Bethlehem, just as I have been.
Until then
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Thanksgiving & Christmas
With December now here some would say that the Season of Thanks is officially over, but I believe Christmas offers a perfect time to continue the tradition of saying and giving thanks and maybe even more so with December being the celebration of the Christ Child Jesus Birthday.
A continuance of saying thanks is most appropriate during December because the Baby Jesus was a gift of the Heavenly Father to each of us individually, so there’s a reason to continue the thanks. Another reason to continue thanking in December would be because of acts of obedience that Mary and Joseph demonstrated in following through with God’s plan. What an example they remain today because of their actions.
There is so much about the Season of Christmas that is also about Thanksgiving. Consider the fact that those that arrived to this new land gave thanks and the driving part of the search for new lands was freedom in worship, seeking after their hearts yearning, and a discovery of not just new lands, but new peace too.
Living here in the Bible Belt is a blessing. I’ve lived in big cities and observed the passing by of so many and the moving about of daily living that never stops and recognizes the creator. I’ve been to New York City’s Central Park and watched the animals, looked at the trees, swelled the roses and observed the people still, who so seem to have no understanding of that quote by Emerson who said, “nature is the art of God”.
My list of thanks will continue to flow but my goal and desire is to some how create the awareness in others that this is even a more special time for us to be able to advance the kingdom of God because of the worlds emphasis on His season.
The Bible tells us to “give thanks always”, and the Bible also tells us to “rejoice, and again I say rejoice”. During this time of the year many will not find their spirits in that overflowing rejoicing or giving thanks mode because of the experiences of life that may have brought a death during this time, a loss of employment that stripped the parents and children of needs and dreams, or maybe this time of the year is just too rushed and the movement of people causes an alarm or hesitation to be around others or go places.
Nevertheless, Christians are instructed to give thanks and rejoice so how will we find His way in this mess we’ve made it into?
Might I suggest looking back until you reach that memory spot where it was clear what God was asking you to do? Think back to the last peace you had that filled you in such a way you didn’t even recognize all the distractions happening all around.
The Bible talks about that peace that passes all understanding and I cannot but believe His peace is discovered when his will is discovered and giving the gift of ourselves to others helps in that search. Seeing the reasons for giving thanks and we doing so as an honor to Him I believe creates that very real presence of Himself that also establishes His plan in our lives.
There is much to do and little time to do it, so lets go ahead and add Thanksgiving and Christmas together for the cause of Christ. Saying thanks and giving gifts in thanksgiving toward others will show we’ve got the meaning of the seasons.
Until then
A continuance of saying thanks is most appropriate during December because the Baby Jesus was a gift of the Heavenly Father to each of us individually, so there’s a reason to continue the thanks. Another reason to continue thanking in December would be because of acts of obedience that Mary and Joseph demonstrated in following through with God’s plan. What an example they remain today because of their actions.
There is so much about the Season of Christmas that is also about Thanksgiving. Consider the fact that those that arrived to this new land gave thanks and the driving part of the search for new lands was freedom in worship, seeking after their hearts yearning, and a discovery of not just new lands, but new peace too.
Living here in the Bible Belt is a blessing. I’ve lived in big cities and observed the passing by of so many and the moving about of daily living that never stops and recognizes the creator. I’ve been to New York City’s Central Park and watched the animals, looked at the trees, swelled the roses and observed the people still, who so seem to have no understanding of that quote by Emerson who said, “nature is the art of God”.
My list of thanks will continue to flow but my goal and desire is to some how create the awareness in others that this is even a more special time for us to be able to advance the kingdom of God because of the worlds emphasis on His season.
The Bible tells us to “give thanks always”, and the Bible also tells us to “rejoice, and again I say rejoice”. During this time of the year many will not find their spirits in that overflowing rejoicing or giving thanks mode because of the experiences of life that may have brought a death during this time, a loss of employment that stripped the parents and children of needs and dreams, or maybe this time of the year is just too rushed and the movement of people causes an alarm or hesitation to be around others or go places.
Nevertheless, Christians are instructed to give thanks and rejoice so how will we find His way in this mess we’ve made it into?
Might I suggest looking back until you reach that memory spot where it was clear what God was asking you to do? Think back to the last peace you had that filled you in such a way you didn’t even recognize all the distractions happening all around.
The Bible talks about that peace that passes all understanding and I cannot but believe His peace is discovered when his will is discovered and giving the gift of ourselves to others helps in that search. Seeing the reasons for giving thanks and we doing so as an honor to Him I believe creates that very real presence of Himself that also establishes His plan in our lives.
There is much to do and little time to do it, so lets go ahead and add Thanksgiving and Christmas together for the cause of Christ. Saying thanks and giving gifts in thanksgiving toward others will show we’ve got the meaning of the seasons.
Until then
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Greenland Baptist Church Wildlife Dinner
While the Season of Thanksgiving has officially gone the Season of Christmas has arrived and there is no greater example of gift giving freely, or thanks expressed then by that of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In the spirit of Christ and in celebration of both seasons it is important to say thanks for the love and support shared by the Greenland Baptist Church to me personally and to acknowledge their actions to show the love and concern of Christ to the entire Tri-State area through their efforts involving their 2nd Annual Wild Life Dinner.
The vision for the event was cast by Deacon Terry Adkins and easily supported by the churches brotherhood and then the entire church also rallied behind the idea to do something different and reach out in a unique way for Jesus Christ. For those who have who have never attended their event you have missed out but I certain 2008 will bring another great Wildlife Dinner to their church open to the community that you can get in on.
So often in the rush of life we rush to and from never taking time to say thanks and I want to say thanks for their commitment to pull together creating such an experience for hunters, fishermen and outdoor enjoyers of life. Truth is, my experience at Greenland Baptist Church and the Wildlife Dinner was filled with laughter, meeting people, seeing the excitement of something new and different, plus learning that the greatest hunter in the world, Jesus Christ is looking for people to join in the hunt which ultimately results in the experience of Heaven.
That scripture in Matthew that says “He came to seek and to save that which lost” presents a great challenge to the church and while the message of His mission has not changed our methods need some fine tuning to reach the world that sees no value in church, a Savior or a Lord. The world has done a great job of attracting young people from the message that in generations past had at the fore front the theme of Jesus Christ, Church and her importance and our responsibilities as Christians to that world that He came to “seek and save”.
I am not sure how or why churches feel that we are backed into some type of corner that has us bound to tradition that permits no reaching out, but a Wildlife Dinner with different game to eat and experience is just one of many ways to make a difference and reach new people. How about a checkers tournament? Sure, doesn’t sound like much, but why not? Winning one is worth it all, but even better is just presenting the message of Jesus is worth it all even if no response is seen. God grows seeds in the heart and you and I have a unique opportunity during this Season to keep people focused on the real reason for the season, the coming of a Savior for the forgiveness of sin.
Not sure what your church is planning during this time of the year, maybe it will be cantatas and children’s plays, which are all good, but why not a punch and cookie party too?
Until then
In the spirit of Christ and in celebration of both seasons it is important to say thanks for the love and support shared by the Greenland Baptist Church to me personally and to acknowledge their actions to show the love and concern of Christ to the entire Tri-State area through their efforts involving their 2nd Annual Wild Life Dinner.
The vision for the event was cast by Deacon Terry Adkins and easily supported by the churches brotherhood and then the entire church also rallied behind the idea to do something different and reach out in a unique way for Jesus Christ. For those who have who have never attended their event you have missed out but I certain 2008 will bring another great Wildlife Dinner to their church open to the community that you can get in on.
So often in the rush of life we rush to and from never taking time to say thanks and I want to say thanks for their commitment to pull together creating such an experience for hunters, fishermen and outdoor enjoyers of life. Truth is, my experience at Greenland Baptist Church and the Wildlife Dinner was filled with laughter, meeting people, seeing the excitement of something new and different, plus learning that the greatest hunter in the world, Jesus Christ is looking for people to join in the hunt which ultimately results in the experience of Heaven.
That scripture in Matthew that says “He came to seek and to save that which lost” presents a great challenge to the church and while the message of His mission has not changed our methods need some fine tuning to reach the world that sees no value in church, a Savior or a Lord. The world has done a great job of attracting young people from the message that in generations past had at the fore front the theme of Jesus Christ, Church and her importance and our responsibilities as Christians to that world that He came to “seek and save”.
I am not sure how or why churches feel that we are backed into some type of corner that has us bound to tradition that permits no reaching out, but a Wildlife Dinner with different game to eat and experience is just one of many ways to make a difference and reach new people. How about a checkers tournament? Sure, doesn’t sound like much, but why not? Winning one is worth it all, but even better is just presenting the message of Jesus is worth it all even if no response is seen. God grows seeds in the heart and you and I have a unique opportunity during this Season to keep people focused on the real reason for the season, the coming of a Savior for the forgiveness of sin.
Not sure what your church is planning during this time of the year, maybe it will be cantatas and children’s plays, which are all good, but why not a punch and cookie party too?
Until then
Friday, November 23, 2007
Thanksgiving Week
With there only being 52 weeks in a year one would think picking a favorite week would be an easy task. I have only enquired into a few folks and their selections for favorite week of the year and my received responses have been varied. The number one response to my enquiring question has been a question in response, “why”? My response of course has just been, I’ve got a favorite week and was just wondering if you did? Most folks have considered it is a trick question or they look around to see who is standing around; as if mother was there it would be the week of her birthday of course!
For me I thought I would simple say I love 51 weeks of the year for riding a Harley Motorcycle somewhere and the other week of the year I love Thanksgiving Week. Truth is that’s not a bad answer but for some that will seem like an easy out, but I’ll hold to this line for now because I’m thinking it is the best way to spend a year without a doubt.
So what week are you saying is your favorite if you have to pick? Will it be a week of vacation on some island or resort? How-a-bout a trip that includes several stopping points each year like amusement parks and maybe a museum or historical point of interest? It could be just a week at home that you enjoy not really doing anything, or maybe it’s a main focus on what my family would call piddling, which means you are really doing nothing, but your way of thinking says you are doing something, even if there is nothing to show for it at the end of the week. Those types of weeks are not bad, we easily justify we were doing something no one else wanted to do, and it was so time consuming because of the many little task it took to make that shed look like it does now. Doesn’t that just make you feel so much better just having read that?
The weeks of the year are all different and there are many reasons for selecting certain days, or occasions, but have you answered the question yet, what is your favorite week of the year?
It is Thanksgiving Week for me for several reasons. While some will think of this as the biggest shopping day of the year for those special items, I’m not much into Christmas gifts so the week is more about resting and reflecting then the run down the aisle for that special something. I like Thanksgiving Week because of the food. While some will say their candy cooking is all for the Christmas Season, to me, since it’s cooked and ready now, it’s all about Thanksgiving Season instead. I would have to say my biggest reason for enjoying Thanksgiving is because it is the season to say ‘thanks’.
Possibly the hardest thing some folks will ever do is say thanks but I discovered it a great way of acknowledging others, their impact and influence as well as the peace that overtakes me when I know I’ve done all I can do.
Now sure what your favorite week is, or how you will reflect upon this Thanksgiving Week, but for me, I’ve already made my decision and to top it off I’ll probably take a Harley ride too.
Until then
For me I thought I would simple say I love 51 weeks of the year for riding a Harley Motorcycle somewhere and the other week of the year I love Thanksgiving Week. Truth is that’s not a bad answer but for some that will seem like an easy out, but I’ll hold to this line for now because I’m thinking it is the best way to spend a year without a doubt.
So what week are you saying is your favorite if you have to pick? Will it be a week of vacation on some island or resort? How-a-bout a trip that includes several stopping points each year like amusement parks and maybe a museum or historical point of interest? It could be just a week at home that you enjoy not really doing anything, or maybe it’s a main focus on what my family would call piddling, which means you are really doing nothing, but your way of thinking says you are doing something, even if there is nothing to show for it at the end of the week. Those types of weeks are not bad, we easily justify we were doing something no one else wanted to do, and it was so time consuming because of the many little task it took to make that shed look like it does now. Doesn’t that just make you feel so much better just having read that?
The weeks of the year are all different and there are many reasons for selecting certain days, or occasions, but have you answered the question yet, what is your favorite week of the year?
It is Thanksgiving Week for me for several reasons. While some will think of this as the biggest shopping day of the year for those special items, I’m not much into Christmas gifts so the week is more about resting and reflecting then the run down the aisle for that special something. I like Thanksgiving Week because of the food. While some will say their candy cooking is all for the Christmas Season, to me, since it’s cooked and ready now, it’s all about Thanksgiving Season instead. I would have to say my biggest reason for enjoying Thanksgiving is because it is the season to say ‘thanks’.
Possibly the hardest thing some folks will ever do is say thanks but I discovered it a great way of acknowledging others, their impact and influence as well as the peace that overtakes me when I know I’ve done all I can do.
Now sure what your favorite week is, or how you will reflect upon this Thanksgiving Week, but for me, I’ve already made my decision and to top it off I’ll probably take a Harley ride too.
Until then
Friday, November 16, 2007
Moses & Directions
What are the odds that the creator of the world really wants to use us to do His will? Good question that I’m certain we have each asked ourselves and no doubt we have considered ourselves to be alone in the question, but this is not the case actually.
Moses was the first recorded in History of the World to ask the question, “Who am I? A self asking question many continue to address inwardly as we live our lives from day to day.
The big deal with Moses in Exodus on this question was because of his resistance to God’s call and Moses refusal to say yes to the vision. It was hard for Moses to see himself someone to deliver God’s people from hardship. It was hard for Moses to see how God could use someone like himself as a leader, especially since Moses didn’t see himself as a leader or as someone up for the unthinkable challenge God placed before him.
Not sure how overwhelming life is in your world but I’m thinking asking “who am I” is not a bad place to start when evaluating our lives, and like Moses we have no doubt wanted Him to send someone else and accept our position that we are just not up to the task. If there is anything frustrating about God is has to be the fact that He doesn’t pay us any mind when we are double thinking ourselves, He just waits for us to stop.
Life is full of situations that create this sense of well informed “I can’t do this” attitude in us. How often? To often we think and feel we are over our heads and out of our field to accomplish things, but isn’t is amazing that God doesn’t think so?
What was the last project you were handed that put you in the frame of mind? What bad news had you last heard that gave you this sense of hopelessness?
Yes, it is hard to imagine that God, the creator of the universe wants to use us, but He does. We are reluctant to follow, but yes, He still calls and points a way. We are more inclined to hear the negative then are persuaded to stand back up and fight the odds, but we must. We must because He has asked us to in spite of who we are. Sure there are others that will be better suited for the task no doubt, but they; it appears are not the ones God is talking to. Skill and experience that others possess out shine our talents, but they are not here, it is us standing at the spot.
Today the expectation God has for us is to ask whatever question we desire, but for these questions not to be sticking points but rather move us to the next question that Moses asked, which was, “what shall I tell them”.
The items on your to-do-list, or the work that is before you is not positions as such to stop us but to cause of to stop and consider our next steps wisely, and those steps should be directions gathered from His will.
The roads we each travel are not always full of lights and direction signs that are easily seen from the roads we travel, but if we go forward with our eyes open, looking around, being observant, and attempting to not pass recklessly in life, I am confident we can all safely arrive from the resistance of His call to acceptance of His lead and find our selves in a new land too.
Until then
Moses was the first recorded in History of the World to ask the question, “Who am I? A self asking question many continue to address inwardly as we live our lives from day to day.
The big deal with Moses in Exodus on this question was because of his resistance to God’s call and Moses refusal to say yes to the vision. It was hard for Moses to see himself someone to deliver God’s people from hardship. It was hard for Moses to see how God could use someone like himself as a leader, especially since Moses didn’t see himself as a leader or as someone up for the unthinkable challenge God placed before him.
Not sure how overwhelming life is in your world but I’m thinking asking “who am I” is not a bad place to start when evaluating our lives, and like Moses we have no doubt wanted Him to send someone else and accept our position that we are just not up to the task. If there is anything frustrating about God is has to be the fact that He doesn’t pay us any mind when we are double thinking ourselves, He just waits for us to stop.
Life is full of situations that create this sense of well informed “I can’t do this” attitude in us. How often? To often we think and feel we are over our heads and out of our field to accomplish things, but isn’t is amazing that God doesn’t think so?
What was the last project you were handed that put you in the frame of mind? What bad news had you last heard that gave you this sense of hopelessness?
Yes, it is hard to imagine that God, the creator of the universe wants to use us, but He does. We are reluctant to follow, but yes, He still calls and points a way. We are more inclined to hear the negative then are persuaded to stand back up and fight the odds, but we must. We must because He has asked us to in spite of who we are. Sure there are others that will be better suited for the task no doubt, but they; it appears are not the ones God is talking to. Skill and experience that others possess out shine our talents, but they are not here, it is us standing at the spot.
Today the expectation God has for us is to ask whatever question we desire, but for these questions not to be sticking points but rather move us to the next question that Moses asked, which was, “what shall I tell them”.
The items on your to-do-list, or the work that is before you is not positions as such to stop us but to cause of to stop and consider our next steps wisely, and those steps should be directions gathered from His will.
The roads we each travel are not always full of lights and direction signs that are easily seen from the roads we travel, but if we go forward with our eyes open, looking around, being observant, and attempting to not pass recklessly in life, I am confident we can all safely arrive from the resistance of His call to acceptance of His lead and find our selves in a new land too.
Until then
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