Men's Choir

Had a great practice last night with our Men's Choir for Father's Day. Thankfully, this is not a picture from last night.
There were over 50 guys there -and we're expecting even more on Sunday. Only one practice but they sounded terrific.
We're doing a couple of songs by Lincoln Brewster..."Today Is The Day" and "God, You Reign". Lincoln's writing some terrific things.

Holy Blogs, Batman

Ok -so is one new post a month too much? I just don't want to overload the reader. :)
Well, it has been a pretty incredible start of the year. I seem to have found myself in an awesome place. So many people I've met here have lived in Bakersfield all their lives. That says something really cool about this place....and it really comes down to the people. Some of them have even moved away and then missed it so much they moved back.
Because I'm also the Small Group Pastor, I've been visiting most all of the Small Groups. This has meant being out almost every night of the week. It's been exhausting at times. But it's also been awesome to meet so many people. As an outsider coming into the church, my one word description, because of this inside look, is "healthy".
It makes a lot of sense because the Pastoral staff is also incredibly personable and loving.
Some of the office staff, however, are pranksters. I was sending a thank you note to a family that had me over for dinner. At one point in the evening, their little boy came out dressed as Batman, to our surprise. So on my thank you note's return address, I put "Batman".
Rachel, one of the secretaries, noticed this, and put a Batman logo on the back of my jacket. I didn't see it -and went to the grocery store on my way home. I didn't really understand the funny looks in the store until I got home and took off my jacket. Don't think I'll be shopping there for awhile.

Let There Be Choir

Well, I see that time keeps getting away from me. Been meaning to blog for awhile. It's been incredibly exciting to be at Canyon Hills Assembly and they've got me pretty much on a steady run. I'm looking forward to the point when I feel I've got a better grasp on the situation. Maybe that'll come in about ...10 years.
We had 49 people at our first choir practice. If everyone who expressed interest in joining the choir would show up, we would actually have 78 people! Sometimes the commitment factor can be a problem. Other times it's sickness, vacation, or the director suddenly has appendicitis. Regardless, I'm really looking forward to our first Sunday on the platform ...this weekend!

Happy Birthday Sheri!

Today is my sister Sheri's birthday. She is one of the most awesome people in the world. I lucked out in the sibling pool. Not so sure she did -with the little brother pool. But she has always been full of grace -even when I shot her. Wow. Think about that. How many sisters would keep that quiet for 10 years?
So glad we're related. It means she has to put up with me.
In fact, she has really spoiled me over the years. You would never see a cake like this one at her table. She does everything with excellence. More than that...she does it with love.
Hope you have an awesome birthday Sheri! I love you much!

Unshakable

My first week in the office at Canyon Hills was pretty cool. Pastor Wendell and Pastor Steve filmed segments for a new small group series they'd put together titled, "Unshakable". This study centers around the end times and a key scripture is Luke 21:31. "When you see these things happening, recognize that the kingdom of God is near." Isn't it awesome to know that things are about to wrap up ...and we're on the winning side?
The DVD was beautifully produced by a man in the church who is a professional -and actually makes commercials for television.

Canyon Hills Assembly

Well, it's only been a week and I'm already in love with the whole church. lol My first day in the church office was last Tuesday. Executive Pastor Steve Vinson had said he'd like to start things out a little slower by just taking me to breakfast. When I arrived at the restaurant I discovered that the entire staff was also joining us -which was somewhere around 14 people. It was a little overwhelming as they put me at the head of the table. I'm sure there was some curiosity as to what the new guy would bring to the table -but I was met with smiles all around.

This past Sunday morning, Senior Pastor Wendell Vinson introduced me to the entire congregation and then had me go down the aisle to the foyer as he was dismissing everyone. He instructed them all to welcome me in. Was it ever a welcome! I was so encouraged by many who were very excited to get a choir singing on a regular basis again. I guess it's been a couple of years.
I can see I'm going to have to be very careful here when it comes to eating. When I first arrived at my apartment, the refrigerator and shelves were packed with food! The pastors had asked for a key to my apartment before I arrived. I was blown away by what they did. After church this past Sunday, the staff welcomed me for my first Sunday with a prime rib lunch.
Guess the gym better be one of my more frequent stops.

God Leads Us Along

I'm moving! After living in the Long Beach/Lakewood area for 25 years, I'm packing up my things and heading north. I'm very excited to say that Canyon Hills Assembly in Bakersfield has asked me to come on board. The pastors are Wendell and Lynda Vinson -who actually founded the church 25 years ago. Steven and Renee Vinson are the Executive Pastors. I actually worked with Renee's sister, Robin Garvin, for many years.
When I visited the church a few months back, I led them in the chorus of the hymn "God Leads Us Along":
Some through the waters, some through the flood
Some through the fire, but all through the blood
Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song
In the night season and all the day long

There have been moments in the past year when it was difficult to find a song to sing. But as tough as it got, I knew that God was orchestrating events to eventually compose a better symphony than I could've imagined. There were moments when I didn't have any answers at all. But we don't have to have all the answers when God leads us along. We've just got to follow Him.