THE PIANO---WHERE IS IT?

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Have you seen the Jack In The Box commercial where Jack's cook makes a pancake of Jack's face and then takes a bite out of it? Jack fires him. Later the cook is sitting at a bus stop telling a woman about being fired and why. She says in a loud, shrill voice, "YOU ATE HIS FACE???!

I felt like that lady when I heard that my "old" church had sold their beautiful piano.

"YOU SOLD THE PIANO???!

And this from a man who for many, many years never worshipped with instrumental music.

HOMECOMING, Sunday, October 16, l994 was a great day at Lincoln Heights Christian Church!

Leading up to HOMECOMING we had a Bible School attendance drive and reached 254.

We were "on a roll." We were excited. We couldn't wait for HOMECOMING SUNDAY.

We were not disappointed. It was wonderful in every way.

One of the highlights of the day, next to the worship and fellowship, was a drama presentation directed by Bob Bradford.

The title of the drama was: THE PIANO---WHERE IS IT?

It was a rollicking, rib tickling, tale that few would dare tell. It was all about us and our sometimes strange and funny ways.

It seems that in the past somebody had taken it upon themselves to move the piano from its customary place in the sanctuary. It was upsetting to some. They didn't even notice it at first but when they did, they wanted it moved back. But the big problem was---they couldn't remember where "back" was!

Lincoln Heights Christian Church is the old First Church of Christ that was one of the earliest churches started in down town Phoenix. They have always had a piano and up until a few weeks ago had a beautiful grand piano.

THE PIANO--WHERE IS IT?

THEY SOLD IT!

I'm glad I received the news before visiting Lincoln Heights again.

Walking in I would have been heard to exclaim, "THE PIANO--WHERE IS IT?"

DISCONTENT

Monday, February 18, 2013

There was a boy named Grumble Tone who ran away to sea.
"I'm sick of things on land," he said, "as sick as I can be;
A life upon the bounding wave will suit a lad like me!"

The seething ocean billows failed to stimulate his mirth,
For he did not like the vessel, nor the dizzy, rolling berth,
and he thought the sea was almost as unpleasant as the earth.

He wandered into foreign lands, he saw each wondrous sight,
But nothing that he heard or saw seemed just exactly right;
And so he journeyed on and on, still seeking for delight.

He talked with kings and ladies fair; he dined in courts, they say,
But always found the people dull, and longed to get away
To search for that mysterious land where he would like to stay.

He wandered over all the world, his hair grew white as snow;
He reached that final bourne at last where all of us must go.
But never found the land he sought. The reason you would know?

The reason was that north or south, where'er his steps were bent,
On land or sea, in court or hall, he found but discontent;
For he took his disposition with him everywhere he went.
                               
                                                         Ella Wheeler Wilcox 1892

STAYING COMPASSIONATE

Thursday, February 14, 2013

 

When two people fall in love they listen to and respect one another, and above all they are compassionate.

We smile when we hear the words, "I feel your pain" because it reminds us of Bill Clinton.

But to lovers these words are powerful. It means when you aren't feeling well, I'm not feeling well. It means when you are hurt---physically or emotionally---I'm hurt.

To be compassionate means you strive to know how it feels to be in the shoes of another person.

Gradually, over time, we seem to lose our compassion for our partner.

Stay compassionate. Keep your relationship on solid, loving ground.

If you have lost your compassion or if you feel it slipping away---get it back.

Daily compassion and love strengthens your love for each other.

If you can maintain and deepen the compassion you have for your partner you will end up with a love life that is the best it can be.

This coming July Charlotte and I will have been married fifty-five years. We are living, learning and loving together.

STOP THE PRESSES

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

The world didn't stop turning.

I was able to get  out of bed the next morning.

Life went on as usual.

Nobody seemed to notice.

I HAD STOPPED DELIVERY OF THE NEWSPAPER!

I have been reading the daily newspaper since I was a young boy.

I can't remember a time when the newspaper wasn't important to me.

For years I have been in disagreement with the editorial page of our local newspaper.

And for years I have been watching more and more news on television.

So when The Arizona Republic sent notice of a price increase, I sent notice back to cancel my subscription.

For years, while it was still dark outside, I would get up in the morning, go outside and bring in the paper.

I would spread it out on the "island" in the kitchen, grab a cup of coffee and start reading.

The first morning after I stopped delivery I did go outside just to see if they delivered it. They didn't!

Since then, I have never "looked back."

Do I miss it? Not really.

I believe the main stream news media is so far to the left and liberal that it is SINFUL!

They no longer publish the truth---but deal in lies.

The main stream news media is one of the biggest problems---if not the BIGGEST in America today!

PURSUED—GOD'S DIVINE OBSESSION WITH YOU

Friday, February 08, 2013

PURSUED
God's Divine Obsession With You
By Jud Wilhite

OVERVIEW: As the leader of Central Christian Church in the self-proclaimed "Sin City, USA," Jud Wilhite has seen it all, and he knows that no matter how far someone has strayed from God, God always remains in passionate pursuit. Using the biblical prophet Hosea's marriage, commanded by God, to an unfaithful prostitute as a metaphor for God's unwavering love, Pursued compellingly illustrates God's plan for every person—to be freed to become his or her own unique self through intimate togetherness with the living, loving God.

AUTHOR: CBA bestselling author Jud Wilhite is senior pastor of Central Christian Church in Las Vegas, Nevada. The youngest senior pastor to lead a congregation of 20,000 members in America, Jud holds a master's degree from Lincoln Seminary. His previous books include Throw It Down and Torn.

MY REVIEW: During my years as a senior pastor I acquired many volumes of sermons. Over the years I have enjoyed reading sermons for many reasons. It was rare for me to purchase a book of sermons that I did not profit from. Since I am now retired I don't read nearly as many sermons as I once did. But when I heard about this new book by Jud Wilhite I wanted to read it. I was not disappointed. Jud is an excellent young preacher. I have visited his church and have heard him preach. He speaks well and he writes well.

This book "is for everyone who is sick and tired of being sick and tired. For everyone buried under the burden of trying to keep it together, for those wrestling with shame, for those who are over faking it, who feel like posers, who know they aren't measuring up and know if people knew half their real story, they'd run out of the room. It's for those who long to know God, but feel something's missing."

I recommend this book. It will help you discover a life-giving relationship with God and bring new joy into your life when you are weary and frustrated. You can have a relationship with God that will enable you to live fully and completely in His grace.

(I received this book from Faith Words, Hachette Book Group in exchange for a fair and honest review.)