Whatever Takes Us Away

Work, work, work. At times I wonder if it will ever end.

We've been busy and with school, soccer and school on the horizon, things will only get a litttle more crazy around here. In addition to everything else Tina does on a routine basis, she has agreed to take on the responsibility of being soccer coach for Madison's team this fall season. Right now she's attending a mandatory coaches' meeting to learn more about it. All work . . .

As for me, well, I've nothing new to report. I work.

I have moved many times in my life. I recall one year, a school year that I went to three different schools. Once I graduated high school I joined the US Marine Corps for five years, and moved many times with only a week or two of notice. I managed to learn a lot from all of my travels, living in Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois, Virginia, California, Texas, Japan, Korean, and Thailand; I learned acceptance and to accept.

Likewise in those moves I attended many different churches, different types of churches each with its own blend of people, history and beliefs. I’ve attended just about every kind of Christian church and have seen so many styles of praise and worship, each has its own special thing, its own “brand” of praise to God. I cannot say that one does it right, and nor can I say that any one of them had done it wrong. But for the most part, each one of those churches allows some form of acceptance to new comers and new members in their own style of praise and worship.

In Romans 15:7 the Apostle Paul says, “Accept on another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” It is by God’s amazing grace we are truly saved and accepted into His family. It is, and should be the same for each person that walks into any given church on any given Sunday for a worship service; each person should be accepted.

A church that my family attended outside of Chicago had a different style of doing all things “church” and was branded as “that church” while we were there. We had a blended service and a more contemporary service. At one point we had a wonderful person show up, complete with shakers, maracas and streamers. She danced, clapped and raised her hands during the music parts of the services. At first, glares and strange looks beamed her way each week, but she continued to come. After a few weeks what she did became more and more accepted and kids from the Jr. & Sr. high school youth groups started sitting near her, joining her in their time of praise and worship. It was amazing to see those around now smiling and not jeering. She never worried about being accepted by people, but only about being accepted by God. She knew that God’s amazing grace would get her through anything.

The Psalms are filled with references to praise and worship, with references of musical instruments and playing them, filled with words of hope, restoration and peace. In Psalm 95 we are called to sing, give thanks, bow down in worship and kneel before the Lord our God. Just as it was when these words were written it is still today in the church. We need to take the time to sing praises to God, bow down in worship to God, knowing that His grace is sufficient for each of us – no matter what anyone thinks of what we do in our own way of praise and worship. Regardless of what we do while we praise, God will accept us!

Today was a wonderful experience of praise and worship with our friends at Bethel Nazarene Church in Burke Park. Even though it was hot and humid, we managed to bring praise in song, message and fellowship. Every time I witness the Patrick family and their music I am amazed at how God has blessed them. I have been playing music for over twenty years now and cannot comprehend the level of their son's abilities with the banjo! I love that kid and love to hear him play! But that's not all. The service was opened with a U2 song, followed by Blugrass, followed by praise & worship music, closing with more Bluegrass - all for the honor of God.

How's your worship?

There comes a time in one's life when hard decisions have to be made; what's right or what's fun. We have been faced with such a decision and it is with a sad heart we come to the decision we've made: take what is right.

We have been planning on making a trip northward to see friends around Chicago this coming week, however, recent events have caused us to rethink. Last week our wonderful dog (the 80 pound horse that she be) jumped up to greet me, and, in the process, punched me square between the eyes breaking my glasses. Secondly, we know that Tina will be driving my car to and from school next semester while I take the kids to school in the van - my car desperately needs new rear brakes. Couple those with the fact that gas is now $3.00 a gallon and I'm thinking that driving 375 miles each way, eating there and back again will cost more than I'd like to part with, what with me needing new glasses and brakes. That said, the trip will not be occuring this go round.

However, with the bad comes also the good. I was at first disappointed last week when I received an e-mail asking if I'd like to be a drummer for an upcoming event (planned trip to Chicago was in the makings). With our decision to stay local I will be able to help out some good friends and provide percussion for said event (see Bethel Nazarene website for more info). Thanks for thinking of me!

For more important info . . . Dead Man's Chest . . .

We took the kids to see the movie today. If any of you follow Entertainment Weekly's movie reviews, you may have read that the movie wasn't great, wasn't even good, was bad. I'd have to say, based on the fact that I saw it - not to mention the millions of others that have seen it to set box office records, the movie was quite fun to watch. Also, if you know anything about it, they filmed part 2 and part 3 at the same time; the ending of this movie was left more than open for the sequel. If you are a movie goer I'd recommend this: great action, acting, visual effects, characters - it's just a really fun movie to watch. One warning, do not take babies to the viewing of any movies, they don't like to sit still or be quite for more than a couple minutes at a time.

For those of you reading that may have been expecting us to visit next weekend, I'm sorry. We are already planning a trip for the fall; worry not, we will be setting money aside between now and then to ensure a real trip next time. We miss you all and do look forward to seeing you again in the not too distant future!

Summer is in full swing now, and with the addition of a small pool in the backyard we stay much cooler than in years past. This past weekend was nice. Between our house and my parents' house we played host to many family members. We cooked and ate way too much food, and we are still trying to make it dissappear from our refrigerators. It was a nice visit, sharing time with different aunts and uncles, catching up on those who could not attend this year. Most of my cousins had other plans this time around and had to pass this go-round; but there are plenty of parties and family get-togethers where I know I will see them.

I did have the opportunity to do many fun things this weekend, things for myself that tend to get neglected. My Dad, uncle Mike and I went Saturday morning and played a nice round of golf at Friendly Meadows (the course looks great Chris!). Sunday was spent with the family, which we took everyone to my Dad's church (and nearly filled the place) and spent much time lounging around and talking. Monday wasn't as fun to start with, what with cleaning up and hauling things between our house and my parents'. However, it ended quite nicely with a short trip to the lake with the boat. We didn't catch much, only one fish, but it was quiet, the water calm, and my father and I got to spent a couple of hours with nothing else on our minds - even if you don't fish, I recommend visiting a lake once in a while just to sit and listen.

I should probably head out back to see if Tina needs my help with the pool (cleaning, etc.).