Monday, December 14, 2015

Rob's Tree

Sunday, December 13, 2015


Enter his gates with praise and thanksgiving and cell phone...  
I attended a beautiful Christmas concert last night. I'm sure months of preparation were put into it with the sole purpose of offering a night of worship to our great God. We have an amazingly gifted technical staff and I'm still marveling at the special effects: lighting, snow and was that evergreen fragrance I smelled at the end of the night? 
Sadly though, we had a lot of adults who offered their own effects, cell phone lighting.
 A group of us moved early in the service because of the distraction, but I finally threw in the towel and used my program as a blinder.  The man next to me texted nonstop, the people in front of me edited photos throughout the entire night. 
Okay, you get my rant. It just made me wonder why they bothered to come. Why not wait for Vimeo?
Oh, I know it happens all the time (Sundays in the balcony,) but the dark sanctuary just brought it to light.
Yes, our phones are smart, but are we? Are we wise enough to turn them off and tune into God? Oh, I'm all for using technology. Nothing makes my heart happier than to see a student following along on their phone during the sermon or Scripture reading; I've even seen a few take notes on their tablets. Yes, I even love the occasional photo or video on social media. Who can resist capturing beauty? I'm talking about the continuous distraction. 
Last night the light from cell phones kept me from worshiping with full attention.  I missed out, but sadly, so did the users.  I don't want to miss God; I want to enter his gates to worship.
Smart phone or smart heart?  

Friday, December 11, 2015

We gathered to say our goodbyes to Rob two years ago today.  Our dear friend graciously offered the most beautiful music, balm for our bleeding hearts.
Lindsay asked her to play her favorite Christmas carol: 
Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming,
an ancient German hymn.
I remember it as if it was yesterday.
I love the lyrics, especially two of the unfamiliar verses:
This Flower, whose fragrance tender with sweetness fills the air,
Dispels with glorious splendor the darkness everywhere;

True Man, yet very God, from sin and death He saves us,

And lightens every load.
O Savior, Child of Mary, who felt our human woe,
O Savior, King of glory, who dost our weakness know;
Bring us at length we pray, to the bright courts of Heaven,
And to the endless day!

Rob and I loved this performance from the Christmas at Baylor DVD.
Pause for a few moments and enjoy this beautiful 16th century treasure.





Thursday, December 10, 2015

Keeping it simple
It's all about the Babe

Infant holy, infant lowly, For His bed a cattle stall;
Oxen lowing, little knowing Christ the child is Lord of all.
Swiftly winging, angels singing, Bells are ringing, tidings bringing:
Christ the child is Lord of all! Christ the child is Lord of all!


Flocks were sleeping, shepherds keeping Vigil till the morning new
Saw the glory, heard the story, Tidings of a Gospel true.
Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow, Praised voicing, greet the morrow:
Christ the child was born for you! Christ the child was born for you!