It goes without saying . . .

Happy Easter everyone!  

Thank you as well for prayers regarding my upcoming cancer scan stuff this week.  

God's grace still amazes me . . . ><>

Just "Checking In" . . .

We are in the midst of a very busy Holy Week here at the church.  We held Maundy Thursday services last night to celebrate together the Last Supper in the Upper Room, and to let people experience foot washing.

In my nine years (and what a blessing!) of service here as a pastor at our church, I do not ever remember feeling the way I did last night, after I washed a church members' feet, and then he asked if he could wash mine!  I think the best word to describe the feeling was "awe."

People came up wanting to wash each others feet.  Children came up and their mom's and dad's washed their feet.   For a few minutes, it seemed that we were living out our lives in community together as Christ asked us to live.

It was  (pardon the use of a 70's phrase) a far-out experience.   What a sight to see people sharing genuine love and humility toward each other.

I think we got something right last night.

Otherwise I am doing OK . . . and will be off all next week for annual cancer scan protocols.   Prayers appreciated.

Hopefully in May, I can start singing again, and put more focus into firming up the song-set lists for a project I have volunteered to help the good folks over at Hugworks (www.hugworks.org) with as they consider moving into providing music for senior adults.

If you are here in Texas, enjoy the Bluebonnets!  We are having a great wildflower filled spring this year!

And . . . keep making music with your life!

God's grace still amazes me . . . ><>

Singing from memory or using the iPad

I had fun singing today at Dancing River.  Only my second time to perform for adults this month.  

That's what happens when your regular job is focused on the arrival of Easter!

To say I'm a little rusty when it comes to singing and playing guitar is putting it mildly.  Both vocally and musically, I could hear the mistakes.  Too many mistakes . . . I was pushing to hard.

Hope I didn't cringe too noticeably.

Finally, I had enough . . . And I turned off my iPad, and abandoned my set-list.

Then . . . I just sang and played what songs I know, songs I would enjoy singing anywhere.  Story songs, funny songs, good neighbor songs.  I started engaging the audience with my eyes and vocals, and kept the guitar playing simple.

I had a blast!  I think the residents did as well.  

If I sang more than 3-4 times a month, I know I would easily be able to fully and comfortably memorize 30+ songs.  But reality being what it is, opportunities to sing have to fit in with a full-time Pastor's schedule.  Things should get busier when summer arrives with VBS and other community events.

That it my hope.

God's grace still amazes me . . . ><>

Oh, let me hear a well sung hymn . . .

So, if you need a good laugh to start your weekend . . . then continue reading.  You might get a chuckle or two . . .

Dentist's Hymn - Crown Him with Many Crowns 

Weatherman's Hymn - There Shall Be Showers of Blessings

Contractor's Hymn - The Church's One Foundation 

The Tailor's Hymn - Holy, Holy, Holy

The Golfer's Hymn - There's a Green Hill Far Away 

The Politician's Hymn - Standing on the Promises! 

Optometrist's Hymn - Open My Eyes That I Might See

The Tax Payer's Hymn - I Surrender All

The Gossip's Hymn - Pass It On 

The Electrician's Hymn - Send The Light 

The Shopper's Hymn - Sweet Bye and Bye

The Realtor's Hymn - I've Got a Mansion, Just Over the Hilltop

The Doctor's Hymn - The Great Physician

And . . .  for those who speed on the highway - a few hymns:

55 mph............God Will Take Care of You

75 mph.............Nearer My God To Thee

85 mph.............This World Is Not My Home

95 mph.............Lord, I'm Coming Home

100 mph...........Precious Memories

God's grace still amazes me . . . ><>

What people will never forget . . .

Perhaps because of my age, or my many life experiences with helping many people who go through grief after the death of a loved on; or perhaps the combination of the two as I realize the place in life I currently find myself . . . I believe that the following quote from contemporary author Maya Angelou has a great amount of truth to it:

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”   (Maya Angelou)


I will be pondering this quote a lot in the days to come.  I am thankful that as we grow older, we have the chance to discover the real and important truths of life.  Call it maturity.  Call it the "School-of-Hard-Knocks."  There are so many teachable moments in life.  We need to recognize as many of them as we can . . . and ponder the lessons we have a chance to learn. 


As I grow older, it becomes clear to me that there is much about life that I have still yet to learn.


God's grace still amazes me . . . ><>