Sunday Morning Reminder

Just a quick reminder to everyone that we need to be in place for rehearsal on Sunday morning at 7:30 a.m. in the loft or on the platform as the case may be. Attire is solid fall colors -- no ties guys. See ya there!

Canon in D Dad

This one's for you JOE. Well, and all you parents out there who are tired when you get up in the morning!!
Canon in D Dad

Complete Worship - Part 1 -- Serving

Well it's apparently feast or famine in blogland. And right now we are feasting with Susan's prayer-provoking updates on the tragic situation in California and my late-night rambling thoughts. However, I wanted to share with you some thoughts which grew out of a really great message John Politan gave a number of years ago addressing the three aspects of worship -- Serving, Communion and Giving. Beginning today, over the next week or so, I'll post the devotionals that grew out of that message. Hope you find it meaningful and maybe even a little bit fun.

Read John 13:12-17

The waitress picked up her tray and with a spring in the step of her very tired feet, headed over to the table where her newest customers sat. Her naturally sunny disposition beamed forth, “Hi folks. Welcome to JC’s Diner, the home of heavenly portions. How are ya’ll doin’ today? My name’s Mary, and it’s a joy for me to wait on ya’ll today.” The customers, not used to such exuberance in all-night diner staff simply stared at her in a moment of surprise. Mary, undeterred by their quizzical looks, just kept going. “We’ve got several specials today. First, there’s a lamb stew, so tasty you may think about passing over dessert. But don’t. Then there’s the barley casserole, gleaned from the Owner’s personal recipes. But our most popular item is the Purple Plate Special. That’s the bread and wine tray. It may not seem like much to ya’ll right now, but it’s very fillin’. AND the price is right – it’s free!”

The customers, still looking somewhat confused by this humble waitress’ enthusiasm and by the unusual fare offered, asked for a few minutes to think it over. “Okee-dokee, ya’ll think it over. But try not to take too long. The Owner’s been talking about closing the diner here real soon. But we’re never too sure when that’s gonna be. I’d hate for ya’ll to miss out on the meal of a lifetime.” The customers were surprised that an all-night diner might close early in such a booming season. But not wanting to miss out on what promised to be an interesting meal, they asked Mary what she would recommend.

“I’m so glad ya’ll asked” she exclaimed. “My recommendation would be for ya’ll to have exactly the same meal I had the first time I walked into this place. My, what a day that was. I was waited on by a gal who was such a pistol. Ya see, I was a real timid sort back then. Could hardly say boo to a bug.” The customers shook their heads in disbelief. Mary went on, “Yes, it’s true! But this gal – well, she just sat right down here with me and told me all about the things this place had to offer and then she helped me order up this here meal of a lifetime. Boy, was that good cookin’!”

The customers asked as patiently as they could about the meal she was recommending. “Well, for starters, I had the cucumber and leek salad. But that gal, she took it away before I could get one bite. Instead, she brought me out this quail and manna dish, followed by some real tasty fish. But the kicker was the finale. I got some of that Purple Plate Special. You know, the bread and wine. And who do you think served it to me? Why, the Owner Himself, brought me out that bread and wine and he sat down here with me and told me all about Himself and the work He was doin’ here. Next thing I knew, He offered to take me into His family, gave me a job AND the best part is He’s gonna give me a room at His place to live in forever. All I had to do was say yes. Well, I’d have been crazy to pass up a deal like that!”

The customers were intrigued by Mary’s story and asked her about ordering up the same meal. Would it be possible for the Owner to serve them the Purple Plate Special as well? Mary just beamed. “Why, He’s just been waiting for you to place your order. Ya’ll just stay right there, just like you are. He’ll be right over to meet you. Let me just get your order in.” And with that she turned and hollered, “JC, that’ll be two Eternity Combos for Table 7.”

Food for Thought

1. What do you learn about service for the Lord from the following verses? Deuteronomy 11:13-14; Psalm 31:16; Matthew 6:24; Matthew 25:21; John 12:26; Romans 7:6; Ephesians 6:7

2. According to the following verses, what result can you expect from service for God? Ephesians 4:12; Colossians 1:10; Hebrews 12:28

3. Serving is using the natural abilities God gave to you to serve Christ. What do you feel are your natural abilities and how are you fulfilling 1 Peter 4:10 by using them to serve Christ?

4. Consider an act of service you have recently performed or plan to perform this week. Make note of how you will offer up the service as if you were personally serving Jesus face to face. How does this affect your serving attitude?


Copyright © 2001 Kimberly K. Hannay
All Rights Reserved

The Prayer of a Child

The view of smoke and the Oceanside Pier this morning.

Fire Update:

I truly believe God wants to make Himself known to children.

He did, in a mighty way this morning. My kids prayed for a sea breeze, and He answered. They were in awe and wonder at His providence!

We're not out of danger, but the wind is shifting and letting up. To smell brine instead of smoke is heavenly.

I would love to know how Pastor Ed and the Browns are doing! Can anyone update?

Keep praying.

Fearless Joy

Greetings all. Well, unless you’ve been asleep in rehearsals and Sunday services or else you’ve been living under a rock somewhere, by now you must have detected a shift in the worship atmosphere around SBC. And of course, you must know that the apparent theme for this season is – JOY. For being one of the shortest words in the English language, it is one which really packs a punch. It is a heart effect, a life seasoning, which gives flavor to everything we do, in service, in gifts and talents, in communion and of course in worship. I love how Pastor Darryl defines joy – the absence of fear and the acknowledgment of hope. This absence of fear as being half the equation of joy is an intriguing concept for me right now. Having just emerged from a very fearsome time in life, I had to learn a lot about shedding fear in that fearsome place. It is definitely a choice. We have to choose to focus on the Lord and what He has done, is doing and will do rather than on the terrible thing of the moment. David knew a thing or two about this concept and had one or two fearsome episodes in life to work through as well. Based on the “joy is the absence of fear” concept, Psalm 27 is just bursting with joy. “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? . . . Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear. Though war may rise up against me, in this I will be confident” [Ps. 27:1, 3 NKJV] No fear. Every hope. Which leads to … “And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of JOY in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.” [Ps. 27:6] Keep reading. The Psalm is chocked full of where the absence of fear and the acknowledge of hope in Christ can lead. It leads us to celebration. [Okay, are you tracking with me? Think Christmas.]

Now, all that being said, we need to consider our personal and corporate responsibilities in deepening and enlarging this atmosphere of worship. We have an enormous opportunity of celebration hovering on our doorstep with the approaching Christmas season. Tammy has inspired and challenged us to prepare for what could be one of our most significant opportunities of sharing the Christ we know and the world does not – this Savior who loves to celebrate because He dispels fear, fulfills hope and loves us beyond reason. I cannot tell you how many people I have encountered in the various offices I have been in in the last week who are desperate to find a reason to celebrate. And everyone of them are extremely eager to attend the upcoming Christmas program. We need to be ready to show them the sacrifices of joy.

Well, enough of my soapbox. I’ll get back to posting my regular devotionals tomorrow and you’ll probably breathe a sigh of relief when Tammy can blog again. She is far less verbose than I.

And by the way, if you are living under that rock, you may want to think about moving. Although I have no direct confirmation, my best guess is that if the rocks do end up with the capability of crying out, they can probably dance too. Think about it. I mean, if He can move mountains…. So keep up the joyous praising. I wouldn’t want anyone to get hurt.

Smoky CA

Emma (10) took this cool picture from the car window as the smoke blends in with the blue.

Greetings Choir and Orchestra, from Smoky Southern California.

The Tuten family is vacationing in lovely, brown Oceanside! It has been a strange start to our week. After last week was so good with the Doan and Krell family. We all had beach front units and could gather and play on the sand, build sandcastles, play baseball and sticky ball. And end the evening singing to Keegan's guitar with the waves crashing as accompaniment. It was a wonderful week.

Please lift up in prayer all those effected by these horrific fires over here. I think 14 at last count. Over 20,000 acres. Evacuees filling a football stadium. We are just a tiny bit north of the newest evacuation order. Legoland was not even a possibility today! And I'm glad. I wrote about our day driving north to get out of the smoke, on my blog if you're a glutton for punishment!

The kids are sleeping soundly, as I sip my hot lemon tea. Trying to swallow is difficult because we have the windows open to the smoke. Too warm to close them.

God knows what is needed. I pray for His great intervention, for those poor souls who have lost material possessions. I pray they have found something greater in the midst of the fire. To those sick ones who were evacuated from their comfy hospital beds, may they find comfort again.

O Lord, be here in the fire. Guide the workers, giving them strength and endurance to do the job. And give supernatural aid in this difficult time. For what is man that You are mindful of him? You even care for the smallest sparrow, so I know You care for me.

"For You are our helper and strength, a very present help in trouble."

The Meeting Place

Greetings everyone... It's time for another Life of Worship devotional. In light of our renewed focus on prayer in worship, I offer the following. I hope it speaks something to your heart.

Read Luke 3:21-22

The muddy brown water swirled around his knees, first lifting the hem of his garment, then sucking it back down to cling and wrap tightly around his chilled legs. Sunlight slid past the clouds, a tease of warmth touching his shoulders only to abandon him to the icy water. He watched the Man approach, saw him pause at the river’s edge and search his face. The Man saw his questions and confusion before his lips could form a sound. The baptizer trembled as the Man stepped into the murky flow and his knees shook with the awesomeness of this moment. His unworthiness washed over him stronger than any violent river current. But he felt the firm and loving Hand of Creation grip his shoulder and then the gentle voice came; gracious words, “Permit it at this time,” and he felt strangely comforted and empowered all in the same moment.
The baptizer enveloped Him in a tight embrace and together they dipped beneath the surface of the river, emerging with water streaming down their bodies. As this Man, his Lord, bowed His head to pray, the baptizer too bowed and watched as the water dripped from their bodies, peppering the surface, sending ripples in all directions. Suddenly, the ripples became brilliant, and jerking his head up, the baptizer saw a luminous beam of light pierce the clouds as if heaven itself were descending to this very spot. A dove floated down the beam and settled on the shoulder of his praying Lord and a voice trumpeted from heaven, “Thou art My beloved Son; in Thee I am well-pleased.”
Stumbling to the river bank, the baptizer sank to his knees, staring up in amazement at the Son, trying to understand this moment. The Man turned from the river and gazed at the baptizer with a look of joy tempered by sadness. He placed His hand again on his shoulder, climbed the bank and turned to leave. As the baptizer watched Him pass through the crowd and walk down the road, a realization came to him. That moment of prayer had been the meeting place of the Father, Son and Spirit. And he wondered if that was what was to come. Perhaps it was possible that prayer would no longer be the ritual of some and the wish list of others, but the meeting place of worship for Father, Son, Spirit and child.

Food for Thought:

1. According to 1 Timothy 2:5, Romans 8:26 and Matthew 6:9, how does each Person of the Trinity participate in your prayer life?

2. What is your primary role or purpose in your prayer life?

3. What instruction and/or encouragement do you receive from the following verses regarding prayer: 2 Chronicles 7:14, Psalm 6:9, Jeremiah 29:12-13, 1 Corinthians 14:15, Colossians 4:2, 1 Timothy 2:8

4. Choose a time this week which you can consecrate as a holy time and worship in prayer, offering praise and thanksgiving, making no requests. Make note of how you are aware of the Father, Son and Spirit all meeting you in that place, in that moment.

Copyright © 2001 Kimberly K. Hannay
All Rights Reserved

The Holy Spirit is our Worship Leader

In the last few years, there has been much discussion about WORSHIP coming out in our every day lives. Like Kim so wonderfully challenged us in the previous post. That really is a life-changing mindset. To worship the God of creation in all we do, wherever we are, whomever we are with. As in Deuteronomy, loving Him with all our heart, mind , soul and strength.

Romans 12:1 says "I urge you therefore brethren by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual act of worship." And in John 4 it talks about God seeking worshipers who worship in spirit and in truth.

The Holy Spirit is our true Worship Leader! When we give Him the power, He rises up and praises the Almighty God from within us! What an awesome experience. The Spirit is our Teacher (John 14:26), He is our Revealer (Romans 8:2) and He transforms us (2 Cor. 3:18. It is the Spirit who gives life (John 6:63) and the flesh profits nothing! But our fleshly beings get in the way. We are spirit and flesh and we have to CHOOSE how to walk.

So back to living a LIFE of WORSHIP, what we are truly doing is living a LIFE of the SPIRIT within us!. Choosing to give the spirit control in our everyday lives. How much easier to worship Him when we give Him control! And how much more we please Him and hear His voice and know His peace.

Something else that has been inkling down in my very soul, is the talk about MUSIC not being the only way to WORSHIP. Well, yes I know that is true. We worship Him in all we do, and in the fellowship of the saints, we read the Word, give our tithes, spend time in prayer. All those things are our offering of worship. But after doing this searching in my soul about giving the Spirit control of my everyday life, I realized that the power of music cannot be matched. The power of music reaches down to my very soul like nothing in this world can. Whether I am singing, playing or listening, it moves me very deeply when I have given the Spirit control. And even when I haven't, I think my soul remembers and is urged to surrender.

Allow God to take center stage this week and give over your flesh to the control of the Spirit.
Susan Tuten
(Alex and I will miss you all this next month as our family will be in CA. I am always lifted up and nurtured in my spirit when I am with you! See you at Thanksgiving.)