SERVING AT THE MISSION

Our church has a unique ministry to the men of the Market Street Mission in Morristown NJ. We have a service and dessert night once or twice a year, mostly at our church, but this time at the Mission.

Our church family makes the desserts and provides the venue for a great evening of music and fellowship with people we would probably never have a chance to rub shoulders with. I see this as a great opportunity to have our church folks get to interact with the homeless and addicted, and build bridges with the "outcasts" of our society and show them that there are people in the church that do care, and want to serve them. The service is composed of music that we sing, and some that the men of the mission sing every day in their chapel. It is such a delight to hear and participate with them as they sing their hearts out with music we are not familiar with. It is truly a 'cross-cultural' experience. I am so proud to be part of this church that has opened it's doors and hearts to the 'weakest' among us.

As you can see in the photo there is a lot of literal 'shoulder rubbing' going on.

More from Norway

Norway Fjords... one of my most favorite places on earth. I am so privileged to have been able to see this part of God's creation... I am also so very grateful to God for giving us such a sweet and wonderful friend in Irene, a long time member in our church who now lives in Sweden. She graciously took us to see the Fjords and other parts of Norway when we were on vacation the summer before last. I have so many fantastic photos that it is taking me a long time to go through each one and run them through my photo enhancers.

What was so very encouraging was the vibrant Evangelical Christian movement in that region of the world. We attended a "tent meeting" in the town we stayed in with our host. There is a genuine moving of the Holy Spirit in the Scandinavian countries. There is a huge traditional "state church" movement, and it seems to be more cultural than anything, but there are real, genuine believers who want to make a difference in their communities for Christ. It was really neat to meet other believers who were excited about the Lord!

Any comments on the photo?

Worried?

It is always a good thing when people look to helping others, especially when times are tough. We are all worried about the economy, but then again, maybe the bright side of the cloud is found in the fact that we are oftentimes more generous... and probably more gracious... since we are all hurting in some fashion.

Our church is making a special project of preparing for those people who might need a "lift" during this economic "down-turn". We in the church are vulnerable to the same weakness of the human condition as everyone else. We worry about all kinds of things (right now, it seems, it is the financial crisis our country and world are facing.

My church sign message is that we need to look out for each other, we need to look at what we have in our pared-down barns and see what we can offer to our neighbors.

Recession might not be a bad thing.

What about Music...

I wanted to say something about my poem that I posted recently - "My Music."

On the last line of this stanza I said: "Then comes a blush..."

Majestic…lyrical…circling
Sounds invade my soul
Images sparkle before me
As the music swells and dies.
Then comes a blush.

(Poem found here)

When I was writing the poem I had an instant 'flashback' to the first time I heard live music in a restaurant. There was an older gentleman playing an accordion (Italian restaurant, of course), and a young lady was with him walking about the place singing for the patrons. When they got to the area where my wife and I were sitting, I remember the incredible power of the music as it was performed (a classical Italian piece)... and I was so struck by the majesty of the moment that it made me blush... and I clapped along with everyone else... all were moved in that moment. My blush was from an excitement of being presented with truly fine music that someone put many hours (years) in perfecting, and they were giving it as a gift to us.

I thought about changing that line, thinking that some people might misunderstand or think it a misplaced word... but it is not a misplaced word.

My Music...

Today I want to share with you what my music is all about. Whether it's playing trumpet in church or Jazz solo before an audience of seniors, the "soulish" quality of music never ceases to amaze me. In the last 5 years since I have been doing public performances, I have come to appreciate the power of music to move the soul... no matter what genre. I have come to the place where music played well, is an offering to God... the creative Master who infuses us with His creativity.

My latest poem expresses these feelings and I hope you enjoy this.

My Music…


A hallowed sound in a hallowed place
Raises spirits and lowers anxiety
The sound envelops the soul
Of a tired, often sad seeker.
Then comes a smile.

The music, like a silky breeze
Floats over and past the ears
Caressing the wrinkled heart
Causing a flood of memories.
Then comes a sigh.

The notes rise and fall
Waiting for resolution
Major key turns to minor
Melody always coming home.
Then comes a nod.

Majestic…lyrical…circling
Sounds invade my soul
Images sparkle before me
As the music swells and dies.
Then comes a blush.

The privilege is mine
To be the chauffer
Of such persuasive rhythms
That move the heart.
Then… I smile.

Earthquakes in New Joisy... again!

Here is my church sign I put up after our third unusual earthquake in the the Dover NJ area.

This is meant as a humorous commentary on our local tremors.... I really don't know if the building is e-quake proof, but it probably is since it is cinderblock covered with brick. Who knows.... anyway, I will keep the sign up until someone tells me how trite it is... or worse - false advertising! (Lighten up people !)

One thing is for sure, the child of God may be shaken, but the Lord will carry him through the rough times of life. It is so great to know that no matter how difficult things can be at times, our Heavenly Father wants us to rest in him, knowing that He holds us in His hands. end......

OK... I'll take the sign down.

Hope in the Lord

OK... we know we cannot trust in the stock market.... as we see the volitile market going 'bonkers' today.

Our Lord can be trusted to care for us and watch over us during these difficult times. Our focus must be on Him and His love for us. It is so easy to get caught up in the fear and anxiety that just floods our conversations and minds. Just today I heard a gentleman talk about the sharp decline in the market today... while he was purchasing a used book! It's on everyone's minds right now.

I know it is "easy" to say 'trust the Lord', but for Christians that is our hope... and ultimately our JOY. Through-out Scripture we are told over and over to stop looking at the wind and waves and look at the Savior! This is NOT a cop-out, or a closing of our eyes to the problem at hand. It is a way of life... an attitude of the heart that says I am not going to be controlled today by these foreboding thoughts. I am going to turn my attention to my Savior, and let Him whisper His love in my ear, so I can rest in Him, knowing that He knows what is happening and has a watchful eye on us, His children. So stop, already, with the worrying and fretting! Get on with the business of trusting in our Lord!