Picante Praise

Now if I'd only had this as a baby, maybe I wouldn't be such a gringo today. My eyes start watering at just the mention of Taco Bell's mild sauce. It used to amaze me to see a man at our church pull a jalapeno out of his pocket and just start munching on it. What I'd like to know is- how do you taste something when your tongue is on fire? Does it add to the flavor? Are people actually trying to charbroil something in their mouth rather than using a stove? Guess they like to eat dinner while their mouth is sizzling.
I've noticed lately, however, that I've started to try a few more spicy things. (Had a pumpkin spice latte over the holidays.) Maybe it's my advanced age but I'm finding that a little kick to the food can make it more exciting.

It seems that God isn't into bland things either. He's very passionate and I believe that He wants us to be as well. He's not into having us just go through the motions. Revelation 3:16 speaks of Him spitting the lukewarm out of his mouth. But vs.19-21 (The Message translation) tells what kind of dish He relishes. "The people I love, I call to account—prod and correct and guide so that they'll live at their best. Up on your feet, then! About face! Run after God! Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I'll come right in and sit down to supper with you. Conquerors will sit alongside me at the head table, just as I, having conquered, took the place of honor at the side of my Father. That's my gift to the conquerors!"
Let's live spicy lives for God. Let's add a little Picante to our praise.

Spotlight On Music Ministry

On my last "Spotlight" entry, I listed some scriptures that I think need reviewing whenever we get into conflict over worship music styles. I particularly like Philippians 2:4. "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."
Worship, after all, isn't really about the music. Yet too much of the time that has been the focus -which often results in people looking only to their own interests. I've seen abuses on all sides. It's not just the older ones complaining, "We need more hymns!" I've heard younger ones complaining, "We need more Chris Tomlin and David Crowder!" The truth is -we need all those things! We can learn so much from each other -the young from the old and the old from the young.
We must remember that music is just the tool that we use to bring ourselves into His presence. We are to be the consumee -not the consumer of worship. It's much more about glorifying God than it is about our preferred style of music.
Visit a third world country. Watch folks worship who don't have the big sound systems or fog machines or pipe organs. Maybe they don't even have what I would consider a good worship song to sing. But I've seen some of the most beautiful expressions of worship given in the crudest of circumstances.

Rip Vaughn Winkle

Hey! I took a nap and woke up. Suddenly it was 2008! Got a bit swamped by the holidays and then went up north to see Steve and Crystal Conner. They pastor in Coarse Gold. (That's not an outfit...it's actually a city.) When I got back I was playing catch up and got sick. But the wonderful thing that I've discovered, as you can see pictured here, is that all you have to do is give everything to the secretary. Think I'll take up golf this year.

For Unto Us

Isaiah 9:6 "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."

(Not pictured here.)

Merry Christmas everybody!!!

Chilly Icebreakers

Spotted this in Reader's Digest -who spotted it in Radar Magazine. These are icebreakers they suggest you avoid.

"I can see you're not one of those shallow people who are super concerned about appearance."
"Out of curiosity, how good are you at protecting yourself against identity theft?"
"Listen, my daughter needs a kidney real bad."
"Ever been to Narnia? It's quite beautiful."

Spotlight On Music Ministry

The controversy that arises from differences of preference when it comes to music style for worship has lovingly been referred to as "Worship Wars" in recent years. This is actually an oxymoron. True worship, true adoration of God -just as the Trinity expresses love one to the other, UNIFIES! It doesn't tear apart.
So, let me let scripture speak for itself.
Phil. 2:1-8 "If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!"
Phil. 2:14-15 "Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe"
Col. 3:12-16 "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God."

Our Red Hot Chili Pepper

I've been meaning to put these on here for awhile. This is one of the younger members of our congregation. He is also one of the most popular. His name is Shawn Pallil and folks will do just about anything to get this little guy to smile. Because when he does, as you can see, he lights up the room. Here you'll find him as a laughing pepper, a demure pepper, and, as his mom Jesse says, a choir director pepper. :)