"Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Luke 2:14
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Friday, December 16, 2011
The Ensemble
One of my favorite parts of Christmas is playing in brass ensembles. I've had the opportunity several times this season and each time I am reminded of how much it adds to my celebration of the season.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote this in regard to music:
"It has dried and infinite number of tears, made the sad happy, stilled desires, raised up the defeated, strengthened the challenged, and has also moved many a stubborn heart to tears and driven many a great sinner to repentance before the goodness of God."
The joy I experience while being part of an ensemble with friends is magnified when I am reminded that the music we produce gives glory to God and can be a tool to help others know the joy of Christ this season.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote this in regard to music:
"It has dried and infinite number of tears, made the sad happy, stilled desires, raised up the defeated, strengthened the challenged, and has also moved many a stubborn heart to tears and driven many a great sinner to repentance before the goodness of God."
The joy I experience while being part of an ensemble with friends is magnified when I am reminded that the music we produce gives glory to God and can be a tool to help others know the joy of Christ this season.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Missions Night
We had Josh Hubbard speak at DHC tonight about his recent Summer Mission Team trip to Argentina and Uruguay. It is amazing to hear of the conditions that Salvationists live and work in daily. It's one thing for many of us to ask for God's protection, however, it's quite another thing to rely on God's protection from moment to moment. We pray for those who live and serve in less than ideal environments.
Josh, who is a soldier at the Wayne-Westland corps, was a good speaker and effectually conveyed his passion for the Army and for saving souls in the world. It's great to see young Salvationists who are committed and on fire for the Kingdom. I see this in many of the young people at DHC and in Eastern Michigan.
I, along with the rest of the corps, am gearing up for this Saturday's World Hunger Day. Three hours playing with an ensemble on a kettle to help the worldwide Army. What could be more fun?
Josh, who is a soldier at the Wayne-Westland corps, was a good speaker and effectually conveyed his passion for the Army and for saving souls in the world. It's great to see young Salvationists who are committed and on fire for the Kingdom. I see this in many of the young people at DHC and in Eastern Michigan.
I, along with the rest of the corps, am gearing up for this Saturday's World Hunger Day. Three hours playing with an ensemble on a kettle to help the worldwide Army. What could be more fun?
Friday, September 2, 2011
Service Clubs
I've spent the last two evenings at two separate service club events. The first was a Rotary meeting that featured District 6400 Governor Michael Duben and the second a meeting of the Dearborn Heights Kiwanis. It is a great honor for me to serve as The Salvation Army's representative to both groups. These fine volunteer based clubs do great work on the local level and worldwide. They have a genuine concern and passion for helping others. They know how to vision and subsequently carry out that vision. It's an honor for me to pray at their meetings as a reminder that what we do for our community, we do in the name of the Lord.
Buy peanuts! Support your service clubs.
Buy peanuts! Support your service clubs.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Bryan and Teri Ellison
On Sunday we farwelled two great people who have proven to be great cadets and I know that they'll be terrific officers. Bryan and Teri are still relatively new to the Army but completely sold-out to the mission and ministry. It was refreshing to work alongside two people who knew little about the Army but much about winning others to Christ and loving others into the Kingdom.
They have been a blessing to me, our corps, and they will benefit the Army and the Kingdom.
They have been a blessing to me, our corps, and they will benefit the Army and the Kingdom.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Curve Balls
Nine years ago today I embarked from Miami on my first cruise with my new bride by my side. We were young (she still is). We were happy (we both still are). We were in love with life and each other and ready for any adventure life threw at us. We dreamed big about our life, career, and our family. And then....the curve balls came.
Today, nine years later, I started my day in the waiting room of a child psychologist's office. We meet with her weekly to discuss our younger son's motor and language dyspraxia and sensory issues. She is encouraging and helpful but she is a curve ball -- one we didn't see coming.
I then came home to find my older son's report card in the mail. Promoted to 1st grade...awesome! Great academics but "disrupts class often" was noted several times. Sometimes I wish that apple would have fallen a little farther from the tree.
We then spent the majority of our day engulfed in the work of our appointment -- an appointment that we love and have a vision for. We are thrown curve balls daily and try our best to discern the Spirit's guiding and direction for this special place and the great people that love, support, and challenge us.
All in all, no matter the curve balls, God has been faithful.
I have joy in my marriage, my family life, and my calling. I am strong in the grace of the Lord. What more could I ask?
Today, nine years later, I started my day in the waiting room of a child psychologist's office. We meet with her weekly to discuss our younger son's motor and language dyspraxia and sensory issues. She is encouraging and helpful but she is a curve ball -- one we didn't see coming.
I then came home to find my older son's report card in the mail. Promoted to 1st grade...awesome! Great academics but "disrupts class often" was noted several times. Sometimes I wish that apple would have fallen a little farther from the tree.
We then spent the majority of our day engulfed in the work of our appointment -- an appointment that we love and have a vision for. We are thrown curve balls daily and try our best to discern the Spirit's guiding and direction for this special place and the great people that love, support, and challenge us.
All in all, no matter the curve balls, God has been faithful.
I have joy in my marriage, my family life, and my calling. I am strong in the grace of the Lord. What more could I ask?
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