Songs of Faith

Growing up in church and with parents who sang together I learned so many wonderful songs that I taught my own children. They are now passing on those beautiful songs to their own children.

Music is our way of expressing joy, good times together and worship of our God. Some times a song is a good reminder that we are being "held" in the midst of all circumstances, no matter how dark or how difficult. Through joy and sorrow a song can penetrate the soul deeply in many ways. 

The songs of faith that I grew up with are a reminder to me even today of God's goodness and love in everything. Some days when nothing else makes sense a song carries the message of hope and healing.

This picture was taken in Charleston, South Carolina when I visited in

March, 2016.

Negative Emotions

 And the king took an oath and said, “As the Lord lives, who has redeemed my life from every distress, I Kings 1:29 

Looking back on King David's life we know that God had delivered him from much anxiety, sorrow, pain, anguish, suffering, agony, torment, heartache and heartbreak. These are many of the same emotions we all experience in life at one time or another. We can trust God as David did with all of our emotional stresses. If anyone had a right to nurse a grudge it was David towards Saul who attempted to kill him. He trusted God with his life and knew that it would only do harm to himself and God's purpose in his life.

The root of anxiety and stress in my own life is always my own lack of faith. I am constantly repenting to God for my unbelief. Sure I have blamed a million and one other things or other people but when I finally am honest with myself it is always by my own doing, my own sin, my unbelief that God has taken care of everything for me. 

I took this picture on April 15, 2008 on a walk on the beach.

Serving: The Ultimate Adventure

 For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

Serving in the church is like a spiritual defibrillator - it jumpstarts the heart and brings new life! I've discovered that everyone has a secret desire to serve, but sometimes they just need a little nudge. That's where I come in - I'm a "serving evangelist" who loves to recruit others to join the journey.

The enemy tries to whisper lies that we are not worthy or qualified, but I believe that everyone has a role to play. So, I invite friends, family, and fellow church members to join me in serving. I've even invited neighbors who don't attend church to join me in activities like special events, greeting or cleaning - and they love it!

People are hungry for purpose and meaning, and serving together is a powerful way to build relationships and make memories. I've seen unsaved friends find joy and connection through serving, and even go on to become leaders in the church.

My approach is simple: start small, start local, and start together. Whether it's folding bulletins or pressure cleaning, there's a place for everyone to serve. And when we do, we'll discover that serving is not just a duty, but a delight.

So, let's shake off the martyr complex and the lies of the enemy, and embrace the joy of serving together. Let's create a culture of volunteerism and watch as our churches and communities transform. Serving is not just for the saved - it's for anyone who wants to make a difference. And when we serve together, we'll find that it's not just about what we do, but about who we become.

In the trenches of church service, I found two kindred spirits, Kammy and Shannon, who shared my heart for making a difference and my passion for serving with excellence.