Chicken N' Dumplings!

Come out to Centenary this Saturday from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. for some of the best chicken n'dumplings you have ever had! The United Methodist Women of Centenary roll their own dumplings and prepare everything from scratch. Donations will be accepted to go towards the mission projects for the United Methodist Women. Plan to come early. They will serve dumplings until they run out, and you don't want to miss it!

Scripture Study for Lent

Lent Scripture Study – What DOES Jesus Do?

WWJD? We’ve probably all seen the bracelets, key chains, and bumper stickers with these letters. WWJD – What Would Jesus Do? We often like to think in situations, “What would Jesus do?” as if Jesus were not present, right now in this moment. It’s not a bad question to ask, but perhaps an even better question would be, “What DOES Jesus Do?” He is with us; he abides in us. His strength is with us, always. In our present time and circumstances, don’t we need to know this assurance that Jesus is with us, loves us, and will care for us? In this season of Lent, ask “What Does Jesus Do?” and reflect on the following Scripture passages as we move through this season of renewal and spiritual growth.

□ Ash Wednesday, 2/25: Jesus Leads the Way – Luke 4:1-4
□ Thursday, 2/26: Jesus Prays in Confidence – Luke 6:12-16
□ Friday, 2/27: Jesus Faces Rejection – Luke 4:24-30
□ Saturday, 2/28: Jesus Heals – Luke 4:38-40
□ First Sunday of Lent, 3/1: Jesus Amazes Us – Luke 5:4-10
□ Monday, 3/2: Jesus Has Authority – Luke 5:18-24
□ Tuesday, 3/3: Jesus Eats with Sinners – Luke 5:29-32
□ Wednesday, 3/4: Jesus Desires Our Health – Mark 1:39-42
□ Thursday, 3/5: Jesus Makes Sense – Luke 6:41-42
□ Friday, 3/6: Jesus Urges Action – Luke 6:46-49
□ Saturday, 3/7: Jesus Lays Down His Life – John 10:7-11
□ Second Sunday of Lent, 3/8: Jesus Calms the Storm – Luke 8:22-25
□ Monday, 3/9: Jesus Gives Us Peace – John 14:23-27
□ Tuesday, 3/10: Jesus Has Compassion – Matthew 9:35-38
□ Wednesday, 3/11: Jesus Feeds Us – Luke 9:12-17
□ Thursday, 3/12: Jesus Tells Us Who He Is – Luke 9:18-22
□ Friday, 3/13: Jesus Speaks Plainly – Luke 9:23-25
□ Saturday, 3/14: Jesus Reveals Divinity – Luke 9:28-35
□ Third Sunday of Lent, 3/15: Jesus Rejoices – Luke 10:21-24
□ Monday, 3/16: Jesus Instructs Us – Luke 10:38-42
□ Tuesday, 3/17: Jesus Encourages Us – Luke 11:9-13
□ Wednesday, 3/18: Jesus Warns Us – Luke 12:15-21
□ Thursday, 3/19: Jesus Reassures Us – Luke 12:22-26
□ Friday, 3/20: Jesus Challenges Us – Luke 18:31-34
□ Saturday, 3/21: Jesus Points the Way – Luke 17:20-21
□ Fourth Sunday of Lent, 3/22: Jesus Gives Examples – Luke 18:9-14
□ Monday, 3/23: Jesus Answers Questions – Luke 18:18-19, 22-27
□ Tuesday, 3/24: Jesus Makes a Promise – Luke 18:28-30
□ Wednesday, 3/25: Jesus Pays Attention – Luke 19:1-10
□ Thursday, 3/26: Jesus Praises Faith – Luke 7:6-10
□ Friday, 3/27: Jesus Celebrates – Luke 15:4-7
□ Saturday, 3/28: Jesus Invites Us – Matthew 11:28-30
□ Fifth Sunday of Lent, 3/29: Jesus Tells Stories – Luke 15:11-14
□ Monday, 3/30: Jesus Changes Things – John 2:3-10
□ Tuesday, 3/31: Jesus Gets Angry – John 2:13-19
□ Wednesday, 4/1: Jesus Inspires Faith – John 11:21-27
□ Thursday, 4/2: Jesus Feels Deeply – John 11:32-35
□ Friday, 4/3: Jesus Scolds Sometimes – Mark 8:31-33
□ Saturday, 4/4: Jesus Defends Sinners – John 8:7-11
□ Palm Sunday/Passion Sunday, 4/5: Jesus Grieves – Luke 19:37-42
□ Monday of Holy Week, 4/6: Jesus Knows His Betrayer – Matthew 26:19-25
□ Tuesday of Holy Week, 4/7: Jesus Sees Within Us – Luke 22:31-34
□ Wednesday of Holy Week, 4/8: Jesus Has Greatest Love – John 15:12-15
□ Holy Thursday, 4/9: Jesus Serves – John 13:12-17
□ Good Friday, 4/10: Jesus Bears Our Sin – Isaiah 53:3-6
□ Saturday of Holy Week, 4/11: Jesus Waits in the Tomb – Luke 23:50-53
□ Easter Sunday, 4/12: Jesus Gives Us New Life – Luke 24:1-9

God bless you and your Lenten Season! Practice spiritual disciplines such as prayer, Scripture reading, fasting (not just from food!), Holy Communion, and sharing with one another in faith. Use this Lent as a new opportunity to grow closer to our Lord – to remember how our Lord will provide for you! Take advantage of this Lenten Season to recommit to serving and trusting in the Lord. As part of that, join us for worship. We hope to see you at worship every Sunday!

Challenges

To say that the last few months in the life of our nation have presented unprecedented challenges that most of us have not seen in our lifetimes would be an understatement. We are glued to the television to hear the latest economic news. What has the stock market done today? What company is laying off more workers? We dread the mail because there are more bills to pay. We dread the mail even more when we get the latest report on our 401(k)’s and our retirement benefits that are shrinking rather than growing. These are scary times. We do not envy President Obama, the Obama administration, or our Congress that all face these and other challenging issues day by day (so we also need to lift them up in prayer!)

We face these challenges and even more: challenges of health, family relationships, children, and faith in a troubled time. Even still, it helps to keep things in perspective. Most of us still have food on the table every night, more than we need or could eat, while many in the world still go hungry. Most of us can go out to get into the cars we still have to drive to the grocery store, to our jobs, or to the doctor, while many in the world still walk wherever they need to go, and they do not have a grocery store, or employment, or a doctor within their region, much less their neighborhood.

While we fret over our decreased wealth and tightened budgets, it would help for us to remember how good we still have it. Even in the toughest of times, we are not yet reaching the turmoil of the Great Depression that some of our church members can recall. And even if some of us are experiencing circumstances that shake our foundations, such as losing a job or mounting bills, we are still part of a community that should care for one another. In Jerusalem at the beginning of the church, the early Christians made sure that all were cared for, that no one went hungry, and that widows and children had what they needed. This early model reinforces what Jesus said in Matthew 25: “Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me…Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”

In challenging times, Christians are given the additional challenge of being voices of hope in a despairing world. For if we aren’t being positive about our trust and hope in God, who will be? If we aren’t being rays of light for a world in darkness, who will be? If we fill our lives with negativity and if we only see the gloom and doom, how can we expect anyone else to see the light of day? After all, we know that the things of this world are temporary, but Christ and faith and grace are eternal. The Apostle Paul encouraged people who were feeling defeated by saying: “For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18). We must band together and remember the promises of Christ that we are never alone, we are never out of his sight, and we are never without his mercy and love.

To combat the challenges of this present time, we must immerse ourselves in prayer, worship, and Scripture. Come to worship every Sunday to let the Spirit of God wash over you and remind you that you are his. Come to God in prayer to deepen your relationship with our living and loving God who provides what we need. Come to know our grace-filled Lord who promises us through Scripture: “Cast all your anxieties on God because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). (Put that verse on your refrigerator or bathroom mirror!) Our present circumstances may challenge us, but God is more than ready and able to meet them with us!

Laugh, live, and celebrate God’s love,
Oliver

New Year, New Choices

We stand at the beginning of another year. Its potential is unrevealed. What lies ahead for us? We can’t know for certain, but what we do know is who goes with us into the unknown, unrealized minutes that pass before us. 525,600 minutes of life in 2009. What do we do with those minutes? No one will probably dictate to us how we should spend the gift of time we’ve been given. Do we spend the time looking back to the past so that more and more minutes are wasted uncovering miseries or reliving old hurts? Or do we expend the gift of time God has given us looking towards our Lord as center of our lives and the giver of hope and peace?

One of our greatest gifts is our freedom of choice. We can choose either to let the circumstances of life overwhelm and overcome us or we can choose to seek God’s face and god’s will for our lives and to live in his presence. I pray that your 2009, with all of its potential joys, probable hurts, possible happiness, or prospective opportunities is filled with the wonder of a God who loves us, never leaves us, and always seeks us. I wrote the poem below several years ago, and I wanted to share it with you at the beginning of a new year. To me, it speaks about the choice we have to make and the fact that God never moves away. God is right here, and God is hoping that you’ll choose to reach out to him and allow him in. May your life be filled with the amazing brilliance of the light of God’s love! Receive him in 2009 and always!

“Spectrum”

The light shines brightly
Through the space underneath the door.
A beam filters through the keyhole
And is briefly covered as I peek inside.
What light! What color!
The light seems so brilliant,
So jubilant,
So vibrant,
So alive!
But it’s on the other side.
My heart longed to go through the door.
How my eyes yearned to feel the light, the joy.
How my ears pleaded to caress the softness
Of the brilliance.
In the midst of my longing
There was a knock at the door.
I turned the doorknob…
The door opened…
Flooding the room, colors illuminated the darkness.
He knocked; I answered.
I’ll never be in shadows again.
I didn’t know I was worthy enough
To open the door
And now I am filled with light.
Laugh, live, and celebrate God’s love,
Oliver
Love comes in all shades
Providing illumination for all in despair
Now the Light is in me.
What color!
What joy!

Merry Christmas!!!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Life Lessons...

I don't know about you, but I am in a hurry these days. We've got Christmas programs at our church, errands to run, lots to do. I know I should follow my own advice and slow down a little. I need to remember that some things in life are much more important. Like something about the Savior of the World coming. Things like that!

I love this picture Susan sent to me. It shows the value of wisdom and patience. May you be blessed with both in this harried and hurried time!

Be calm...Be patient...Exercise some wisdom...Or you may get it...

Christmas Is a Comin'

All right. Don't get me started. It has been an eternity since I posted. Should I introduce myself to you again? It's been so long... I pray you and your family are doing well in this season of anticipation. I know it's also a season of uncertainty for many, but it is still a time of transformation and a time for telling the story of the Savior.

I pray you are blessed with the story of the miracle of Christ. Christmas time is here! The time is flying; 2008 is almost over, and as the holidays near, I am reminded of the child born to set the world free. It is a season of miracles; it is a season of hope. Even in this uncertain time, we need to be reminded of what is truly important: hope. Hope in the miracles that God provides, often when we are unaware. To celebrate this wonderful season, I wanted to share a story. It is one of my favorites and I hope it blesses you and your family this holiday season. If you've never read it before, I hope you are also blessed by this story too. I promise to come around more often!

Several years ago, a brand-new pastor and his wife were newly assigned to their first appointment in ministry. They were sent to reopen a church in Brooklyn, New York, and they arrived in early October excited about their opportunities. When they saw their church, it was very run down and needed much work. So they set a goal to have everything done in time to have their first service on Christmas Eve. They worked hard repairing pews, plastering walls, and painting, and on Dec. 18 they were ahead of schedule and just about finished.

On Dec. 19 a terrible tempest – a driving rainstorm – hit the area and lasted for two days. On the 21st, the pastor went to the church. His heart sank when he saw that the roof had leaked and caused a large area of plaster about 20 feet by 8 feet to fall off the front wall of the sanctuary just behind the pulpit. The pastor cleaned up the mess on the floor, and not knowing what else to do but postpone the Christmas Eve service, he headed home.

On the way he noticed that a local business was having a sale for charity so he stopped in. One of the items was a beautiful, handmade, ivory-colored, crocheted tablecloth with exquisite work, fine colors, and a cross embroidered right in the center. It was just the right size to cover up the hole in the front wall! He bought it and headed back to the church. By this time it had started to snow. An older woman running from the opposite direction was trying to catch the bus and missed it. The pastor invited her to wait in the warm church for the next bus, which would arrive 45 minutes later. She sat in a pew and paid no attention to the pastor while he got a ladder, hangers, and other items needed to hang the tablecloth as a wall tapestry. The pastor could hardly believe how beautiful it looked, and it covered up the entire problem area.

Then he noticed the woman walking down the center aisle. Her face was as pale as a sheet. “Pastor,” she asked, “where did you get that tablecloth?” The pastor explained. The woman asked him to check the lower right corner to see if the initials EBG were crocheted into it there. They were. These were the initials of the woman, and she had made this tablecloth 45 years before, in Austria. The woman could hardly believe it as the pastor told how he had just bought the tablecloth. The woman explained that before World War II she and her husband were well-to-do people in Austria. When the Nazis came, she was forced to leave. Her husband was going to follow her the next week. But she was captured, sent to prison and never saw her husband or her home again.

The pastor wanted to give her the tablecloth; but she made the pastor keep it for the church. The pastor insisted on driving her home – that was the least he could do. She lived on the other side of Staten Island and was only in Brooklyn for the day for a housecleaning job.

What a wonderful service they had on Christmas Eve. The church was almost full. The music and the spirit were great. At the end of the service, the pastor and his wife greeted everyone at the door. One older man, whom the pastor recognized from the neighborhood, continued to sit in one of the pews and stare, and the pastor wondered why he wasn’t leaving. The man asked him where he got the tablecloth on the front wall because it was identical to one that his wife had made years ago when they lived in Austria before the war – and how could there be two tablecloths so much alike? He told the pastor how the Nazis came, how he forced his wife to flee for her safety, and he was supposed to follow her, but he was arrested and put in a prison. He never saw his wife or his home again all the 45 years in between. The pastor asked the man if he would allow him to take him for a little ride. They drove to Staten Island and to the same house where the pastor had taken the woman three days earlier. He helped the man climb the three flights of stairs to the woman’s apartment, knocked on the door, and he saw the greatest Christmas reunion he could ever imagine...

This is believed to be a true story, submitted by a Pastor Rob Reid. Who says God does not work in mysterious ways? In all the mystery that is Christmas, a couple is reunited. God uses an accident, a storm, to cause a pastor to buy a tablecloth to cover a hole in the church’s wall. And as a result, a miracle. Christmas is a time for miracles. People can come together despite great distances. People can put the past behind them and reach for a future that is full of possibility and new beginnings. People can begin again with hope in their hearts if we will step back and give them the chance. And it’s all because of the greatest miracle of all – that on a night so long ago, by the light of stars and moon, a man and his young fiancée arrived in a small town only to discover that there was no room for them. No room. God, in his great mystery was born in a humble stable, a place no respectable person would be, but much less the savior of the universe?

But out of his great love for us, love beyond anything we could ever comprehend or even begin to fathom, God humbled himself to become like us. God bridged the great divide between heaven and earth out of his great love. Out of his great love, he came to a poor young woman from a poor town. To be raised by a poor carpenter. To be praised by dirty shepherds straight from the fields where they had been watching their sheep. It might not seem like a way to save the world. But God is all about surprises and overwhelming us with the mystery of his works. Out of his great love, God took on everything about us except our sin so that through Christ – the baby in the manger – we could be reconciled with him.

Christmas is more than an ordinary day. So much more. In this Christmas season we remember more than just angels singing and shepherds praising. We remember more than food and presents and fun. We remember that miracles do happen like tablecloths draping holy “accidents.” Miracles of life happen. Miracles of love happen. What love! God’s love is so real. Through God’s amazing love come to life among us, we remember that all things in life are possible simply because of a baby’s cry. Emmanuel. God with us. God’s great mystery of love for you and for me. In this blessed Christmas season, remember the children, remember our families, remember those who are in need...but most of all – remember our savior, born to set the world free. Amazing love on a cold Bethlehem night. Merry Christmas!

Laugh, live, and celebrate God’s love!
Oliver

Vicissitudes

That I'd share my newsletter article for September...Anybody else get words stuck in their heads or is it just me? Ok. I know I'm a goofball...

Vicissitudes. I can remember studying vocabulary words in high school, and the word vicissitude for some reason has stuck in my brain. I don’t know why. Maybe it sounds funny. Maybe it doesn’t even sound like a real word. When I was teaching English at North Davidson High School (which seems like a lifetime ago), I remember including this long, strange word in vocabulary lists and being met with strange, long looks from students…Is that word for real?

For some reason, I thought of this word again this week. Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary defines vicissitude as: “the quality or state of being changeable; mutability; a fluctuation of state or condition.” Hmmm… Now it makes sense! The quality or state of being changeable… This sounds a lot like the Helsabeck household in recent months. After all, we have had to deal with several situations and changes in circumstances that have been out of our control.

We have been involved in a major renovation at the parsonage that has yielded a beautiful, spacious, and multi-functional addition and rearrangement of existing rooms. After the months of construction and dust and moving, we are in and we love it. (Many thanks to Centenary UMC and Jones Family Builders!)

Susan has had to cope with losing a job and closing down a day care center. It was extremely stressful as she grieved, hugged, and supported many employees and children and parents as one by one they left the center to find other employment or other day care arrangements. We have been overwhelmed by the leap of faith our church has taken by hiring Susan as Centenary’s Director of Spiritual Formation. An upstairs room in the church has been transformed into Susan’s office and work space, and we eagerly anticipate what God has in store for Susan in this new position and what God will do in our church. So, because of these changes, perhaps that is why vicissitude popped into my head again.

But then again, the greatest change has come outside our house being renovated and Susan’s changing employment. Elizabeth started kindergarten at Mt. Ulla Elementary! For five years, Susan has never been more than a hundred yards away from Elizabeth almost every day. And now, she will be under the tutelage of teachers and staff at Mt. Ulla Elementary School, which we celebrate! The time has come for this new stage of life for Elizabeth, and we know she will thrive as she learns new lessons and has wonderful new experiences.

Change is inevitable. In this dynamic world we live in, nature changes with the seasons. Plants grow, they bloom, and they eventually fade away or become dormant. The turning of the earth brings the passage of time and with it many changes in our bodies as we age. I believe God intended for things to be this way. God resists stagnancy and complacency. Sometimes we want things to remain the same. We want to hold on to that memory of the little child who reaches up to us in complete dependence and utter joy. But she grows. We grow. We all have. The vicissitudes of life ebb and flow and sometimes we don’t know the direction. But God knows. Throughout the inescapable changes we face, God is constant, even in his dynamism. God keeps his promises, even though we may see uncertainty. Regardless of the changes we face, God guides us and assures us of his grace and love and presence. That is faith. We may not know the outcome as we face the constant changes and uncertainties of our daily lives, but God is there. It is in the evidence of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. He has promised to be with us always. Don’t let the vicissitudes challenge your faith. Let them lead you to a deeper trust in God.


Laugh, live, and celebrate God’s love,
Oliver

Where have I been?

Well...

I didn't forget that I have a blog. I didn't forget my password, although that would be an excellent excuse. I don't have a lot of excuses, other than to say that blogging has not been at the top of my priority list!

This summer, we have finished renovations on the parsonage. We added a master suite with master bedroom, master bath, walk-in closet, another new bath for the hallway, and we moved the washer/dryer to the new addition (which we love!) We also moved Elizabeth into our old room, moved the guest room, and created a "play room" for Elizabeth (and for Susan to scrapbook in!) There were windows and doors to "patch" and rooms to paint, and we are so appreciative to the church for this addition. But we are glad that all of the construction and moving is over!

Susan has started a new job! With me. Hopefully she will like her new "boss." LOL! Anyway, Susan is now the Director of Spiritual Formation at Centenary! She will oversee the children's and youth ministries, Sunday School programs, family ministries, and outreach ministries. I feel that Centenary is so blessed to have Susan and her organizational skills as well as her passion for ministries. After the stress of her last job, this is a welcome relief! Susan will work around 25 hours per week, which will allow her to have time with Elizabeth and that brings us to...

Elizabeth is now a kindergartener at Mount Ulla Elementary! Now, who feels old? (Don't answer that!) She has adjusted very well. Much better than her parents! The first day she walked in, found her cubby, her pencil box, and she sat down and began drawing a picture. Susan and I were, like, "Ok. Bye!" She was in her element. I am thankful to have a rambunctuous, independent, fearless child. (At least most of the time!)

Now it is almost September. We have been up too late watching the Olympics, we have been working at the church, at home arranging things, getting Elizabeth ready for school, and through it all, it has been such a blessing to know that God is with us through it all. I hope and pray that you feel God's presence too.

With all the talk of political conventions, the election, running mates, and now hurricanes, be in prayer for our country and our world. May God bless us in this upcoming Fall, and always. I will try to not be a stranger to this blog. You don't be one either! Join us for worship this Sunday, and feel free to leave a comment or e-mail me!

In Christ,
O.

Busy, busy, busy...

Since the end of May, things have been busy at the Helsabeck household. We went to Annual Conference at Lake Junaluska (the yearly meeting of United Methodist churches from the 44 counties of western North Carolina) and we also recently celebrated Elizabeth's graduation from preschool! (Now it's on to kindergarten..Sigh...Now things accelerate from here on out...So we hear!)


This past Sunday for Father's Day I sang a song that is close to my heart, "Calvary's Love." I hope you listen to its words. No matter what happens, the deepest sin can't rise above Calvary's love. Nothing can. His love for you and me is all that matters.

Now It's Over.

Good grief! I haven't blogged in a couple weeks. I missed blogging about the last episodes of American Idol and the performances. But what I can say about AI is: YAY! David Cook won!!! Susan and I couldn't have been more excited about that. David Archuleta is a fantastic singer, but all of his songs tend to blend together and they begin to sound the same. There is no denying his talent. He is masterful in his inflection, tone, and delivery. I believe he will only improve with age. But David Cook is a true artist who stayed true to his music and his originality and stayed true to himself throughout. He went out on a limb and sang three different songs Tuesday in the finale, each of which showed his range and his ability to work different genres, different tempos, different feelings. I thought he did a phenomenal job. He was more concerned about the music and his integrity as an artist than with winning the competition (at least it seemed that way!) I think the judges realized this, and that is why Simon backpedaled the way he did, in fact even apologized to David Cook for his rush to declare a "knockout." Anyway, David Cook's CD will be one that we will definitely buy.

Compared to previous years' finales, this year's finale was incredible! Oh, if the producers had only let the contestants perform like they did last night instead of "forcing" the theme nights, this season would have been awesome to watch. Case in point: Carly Smithson and Michael Johns' gritty and tremendous duet. Brooke White and Graham Nash. Syesha and Seal. David Cook and ZZ Top! And then there was Ryan Seacrest driving off the stage on the big pillow. That was HILARIOUS!!! (Mike Myers and his "love guru" with the two Davids was downright creepy, though!) Ryan breakdancing on the edge of the stage. Was he having too much fun last night or what? We thoroughly enjoyed the finale, and it made up for some of the boring episodes from the past couple of months.

We loved how David Cook cared for David Archuleta like a little brother, not a competitor. How gracious the two were towards each other. We also were moved by the emotional response of David Cook to the news he had won. He didn't win like a professional programmed robot. We loved David's brother, Andrew, looking at the camera and saying, "That's my brother." That was some genuinely real joy. We look forward to the music that David Cook will produce. All in all, it was a night worth staying up late for!

I Shot the Sheriff...Really?

This week on American Idol, songs from the Rock N'Roll Hall of Fame. So many to choose from, so many possibilities. For some of the remaining four, it worked, and others, well, let's just say, it's time for Jason to go! Sorry, dude! I think it's time. (Poor Brooke. I'm still upset for her, but I'll cope.)

Tonight...
David Cook -- I will overlook the fact that David said he was born in 1982, the year that Duran Duran sang, "Hungry Like the Wolf." Since I was in seventh grade. And that makes me feel old. He did all right, but I was surprised he didn't take some liberties with the song and make it more his own. The second song, "Teenage Wasteland" ("Baba O'Riley" is the real title? Anyway...) was MUCH better, and sounded more like a classic "David Cook" song. I think he will be safe. He just seemed a little off on his game tonight. I hope his brother is okay. The pastor in me jumps to pastoral care when I see someone having an "off" night!

Syesha Mercado -- Syesha has really come into her own the past few weeks. Tonight was no exception. Her songs and performances were great, but I can't help but feel that she is performing as someone else rather than as herself. "Proud Mary" was great, but it was a Tina Turner-esque performance complete with head throws and Tina moves. The second song, "A Change Is Gonna Come" was really good, but what stood out for me was Syesha's reaction to the judges. For so long, I have felt that Syesha was a little "above" everyone else. Like she was a little arrogant. But tonight that opinion melted away when that protective shell cracked and she showed real emotion. I appreciated that and felt like she really connected. I loved Simon's reaction: "Randy, you made her cry."

Jason Castro -- In different seasons, I might understand what Jason is still doing in this competition, but when he is still here and other, more talented singers are gone, I can't help but wonder if there is an underground voting block that is keeping him in. Seriously, "I Shot the Sheriff" (but I did not shoot the deputy...) He is so happy-go-lucky goofy, he is almost difficult to watch. Under other circumstances, it would be fun, but for some reason he makes me uncomfortable. The way he opens his eyes really big and follows the camera in the opening sequence. Has anyone else noticed that? "Mr. Tambourine Man" Yawn...Jason, your time has beyond been coming.

David Archuleta -- Only when he has to talk do I remember that he is 17. Then he appears to be the goofy teenager I remember being at 17. His songs were great tonight. "Stand by Me" and "Love Me Tender" were great choices. Definitely not modern ones (as none were) but this boy can SANG! His approach to the notes, his high notes and falsetto in "Love Me Tender" were once again (tender and) masterful. As Simon sez, he "crushed the competition" tonight. I still think it will be an all David finale.

Should go: Please, Jason. (I don't think Syesha could handle it if she's eliminated before he is!)

Best of the night: David Archuleta

Did anyone else notice how completely coherent and on her game Paula was tonight? She made some of the most genuine evaluations and comments I have heard her say! Good for her. Job security questions will do that to you, I guess!

ASU Coach's Faith

If you know me, you know that I absolutely LOVE Appalachian State University. I loved every single moment I spent on ASU's campus as an undergraduate from 1988-1993 (now I am dating myself!) It is a special place for Susan and me. It was there that we met. It was on ASU's campus and in the beautiful city of Boone, NC that I felt God's calling being solidified in my life and heart. And did we love to go to football games! Susan was in the Marching Mountaineers (THE Band of Distinction, thank you!) and she was in the color guard. What awesome times we had! I have always appreciated football coach Jerry Moore, not only for all the wins, not only for all the National Championships (and that's three in a row, now, in case you were wondering!), but also for the respect he commanded from his players and for the dignity he conveyed. After I watched the video below, I have a newly found respect for him as a strong Christian man who exemplifies the love of Christ in his life and shares that with his players. Go ASU! And thank you, Jerry Moore for your witness in faith and trust in God.

Better to See a Sermon...

I love this poem that a friend of mine gave to me. It really speaks to me about how we are to live our lives as our sermon, not just use our words. How we live speaks volumes over the words we use.

“Sermons We See”
by Edgar Guest

I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day;
I'd rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way.
The eye's a better pupil and more willing than the ear,
Fine counsel is confusing, but example's always clear;
And the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds,
For to see good put in action is what everybody needs.

I soon can learn to do it if you'll let me see it done;
I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run.
And the lecture you deliver may be very wise and true,
But I'd rather get my lessons by observing what you do;
For I might misunderstand you and the high advice you give,
But there's no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.

When I see a deed of kindness, I am eager to be kind.
When a weaker brother stumbles and a strong man stays behind
Just to see if he can help him, then the wish grows strong in me
To become as big and thoughtful as I know that friend to be.
And all travelers can witness that the best of guides today
Is not the one who tells them, but the one who shows the way.

One good man teaches many, men believe what they behold;
One deed of kindness noticed is worth forty that are told.
Who stands with men of honor learns to hold his honor dear,
For right living speaks a language which to every one is clear.
Though an able speaker charms me with his eloquence, I say,
I'd rather see a sermon than to hear one, any day.

I love to preach. I enjoy talking. (Bet no one could guess that!) But above all, I hope that the way I live my life speaks better than any sermon I could ever preach. I believe ultimately that we all want to exemplify the love of Christ in the conduct of our daily living. To do that, we must be committed to showing Christ in how we treat others and through how we serve God and our families and neighbors. People are watching and are getting a glimpse of Jesus in you. It’s more than words. More than even belief. It’s made real in how we show it.

Kinda' "Blah" Night on American Idol...

Okay, I'm a little tired tonight, and it seems like the American Idol contestants were too! First of all, what a rushed production it was tonight. Everyone seemed a little out of their element. I'm not sure Paula was ever really there. When she addressed Jason's second song that he had not even sung yet, that had to be one of the most awkward exchanges I've ever seen on TV. Well, we definitely know it's a LIVE show now. And please, please, please, (and I know I've said it before) someone has got to tell the "mosh pit" not to wave their hands. Not a wave matched a song tonight. Why? Oh, why? It's beginning to make AI seem lame, and I love this show.

Briefly,
Jason Castro -- He was okay, but every week he sounds exactly the same. The "slacker" choices and attitude are not helping him. As Simon said, his performances were forgettable. In fact, I can't remember what he sang, and I just watched it. He seems to be handling the pressure of the show well; he doesn't seem to let anything get to him. (Of course, I would be a "basket case," but that's another story.)

David Cook -- He will win. I predict it now. David C. seems to be the one best prepared for the record industry. Of all the contestants remaining, I can hear his CD already, and I would definitely buy it. The selections he made tonight were good, especially since he picked songs that were not immediately recognizable. That way he could make them his own. They weren't his best of the season, but he will be safe. He also doesn't seem to be letting his emerging "front runner" status go to his head. From his attitude on stage, he seems grounded.

Brooke White -- Brooke was so much better this week. We were so glad! She seemed really nervous, and I don't want her to doubt herself. She is very talented and needs to trust in that. I disagree with Simon that the first song, "I'm a Believer" (see, I actually remembered hers!) was a "nightmare." Any song immortalized in Shrek can't be bad! It was a safe performance. I preferred her second song, "I Am, I Said." It was so authentic and heartfelt. She genuinely conveyed the song, and I hope that emotional connection will carry her through to next week. (By the way, it's pretty cool that four of the top five contestants can play instruments. That was a good twist in this year's competition!)

David Archuleta -- I just knew he would pick "Sweet Caroline" and/or "America," and he ended up picking both! He sang them both well, but something felt disingenuous about them. I felt like he didn't really connect for some reason. He didn't seem to be in full voice tonighteither, and it was one of the first times I noticed he missed some notes; his voice even cracked on "America." Something felt off to me. But he did well enough and picked good songs, so I think he will sail through.

Syesha Mercado -- Syesha did a'right tonight. (Channeling Randy.) Her performances were good, and she looked like she was enjoying herself, but I am seeing that she is much better suited for the Broadway stage or for a FOX/ABC/NBC/(insert network) sitcom than for pop icon. And hey, that's not a bad thing at all! She definitely wasn't the worst, or the best, but she fell in the middle for me.

And was it just me, or did no one really "bring it" tonight? I was beginning to wonder, could it be that Neil Diamond songs just don't work in 1 minute increments? As soon as they tried to set up a song, it was over. That was the producers fault. Overall, it was a pretty bland night. (Of course, Susan and I will still watch every moment like rabid dogs. Well, not really rabid, since we had to DVR it, but you know what I mean. We won't miss it.)

Best of the night: David Cook

Should go home: Jason Castro (but probably won't!)

Oh, and by the way, I loved the "Indiana Jones" preview! Just reminded me that I CAN'T WAIT!

P.S. after results night :( -- I am bummed Brooke is out. Why Jason, why? Somebody get those cell phones away from those teenage girls! If David Cook is voted out, I may not care who wins. (Even though I will probably still watch anyway!)

Thanks for your prayers!

By the way, thank you for everyone who has been in prayer for me this week! Thankfully, my biopsies following my back surgery showed no cancer! Thank the Lord! So, the stitches and stiff back I've been enduring have been worth it to know that I am all right. God is good!

Wicked!

Two weeks ago, Susan and I went to see the national tour of the musical "Wicked" at Ovens Auditorium in Charlotte. It is an incredible experience and a very creative story by Gregory Maguire about the "true" story behind Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda, the Good Witch of the North (loosely based on L. Frank Baum's "The Wizard of Oz.") If you need a break today, maybe you'd enjoy this scene from the show that I found on YouTube. It features the original Broadway stars: Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth. (I'm just keeping with American Idol's week of Broadway songs, and I love some great singing!)

Phantom Night!

Andrew Lloyd Webber night on American Idol! Can I sing along? So many songs to choose from...I can hear "Phantom of the Opera" in my head all night. Only because I've been singing songs from that show for TWENTY YEARS now! Now that I feel old...I guess no one will want to hear me sing "Music of the Night" after David Cook's performance tonight. I can still do it justice in the shower though!

Syesha Mercado -- I hadn't heard her song before, but she was totally in her element! Broadway may just be her calling here. She was emotive, strong, and full of herself, which seems to be her real personality, anyway! I think she is safe and she picked a great song for herself!

Jason Castro -- Okay, "Memory." Really? "Memory?" And he didn't know it was sung by a cat? Where has Jason been? Something a little silly about him singing: "I was beautiful then..." We giggled at that. Susan says that he has to go. She doesn't like "breathy" boys singing.

Brooke White -- Oh, Brooke. We like you so much! We have such positive thoughts. We try to send them your way. When you stopped and started over, that was good. Regroup. And even though you had to do that, the song was very emotional, which must have been how you were feeling. "You MUST Love Me." Hopefully, enough people will take that as a command to keep you around. We like you, we really do. After all, Jason sang "Memory." Maybe that will be enough to save you!

David Archuleta -- "Think of Me" -- I wondered about this, but Paula (yes, Paula) was right that David A. can take a song like that and make it contemporary. I liked the arrangement and it was perfect for him after all. (But the teenage girls rushing the stage before his performance was a little much! And by the way, who told the audience they could WAVE THEIR ARMS AGAIN?! -- Stop it!!!) He did great, as always!

Carly Smithson -- When at first she was going to sing "All I Ask of You" I thought: NO! But when Andrew Lloyd Webber asked her to sing "Jesus Christ Superstar" I knew it would be good, and was that not the truth? She was awesome! I had chills from the first note. This was totally one of the best performances she's had. She could do this on Broadway too. That would be a show revival I'd like to see!

David Cook -- "Music of the Night." He totally stole this one from me! More chills from the first notes. He has shown he can can sing and arrange anything. It was pretty straightforward, but he nailed the high notes. One of his best, I thought. David Cook is emerging as the one to beat, I think. I believe the judges could have been more effusive for him, though. I like his rock songs best, but for Andrew Lloyd Webber material, he did an awesome job.

Will/Should Go: Well, at this stage, I'm going to say Jason Castro. He is doing the same thing every week. I'm fearful for Brooke, though. (But we did vote twenty times for her. Hope that was enough.) I think everyone else is safe.

Best: For me, Carly Smithson and David Cook. David A. was masterful too.

I Can See...

A couple of weeks ago, I got to sing one of my very favorite songs of all time, "I Can See" by David Meece. I remember one of the first audiotapes I ever got (stay with me young folks) was "He Holds the Keys" by Steve Green. He sang "I Can See" on that album, and I would play it over and over and over. I wore it out. I would turn the stereo up as loud as it would go in my red 1983 Chevrolet Chevette with orange racing stripes and louvers on the back glass (classy, huh?). I was blessed over and over by Steve Green's tenor and the conviction and words and incredible piano music. Wow. God is so good.

Even though I was recovering from a cold (no excuses, now) I decided to sing it and I was so thankful for our organist, Laura Myers, who played the piano so beautifully! I have only tried to sing it a couple of times. It is high -- for one thing -- and I can't help but hear Steve Green sing it so effortlessly. I preached on Jesus meeting the two men on the walk to Emmaus, and I closed with "I Can See." I had some people request to hear it, so I attempted to make a video with pictures to go along with it. Pay no attention to me singing it, I hope you hear the words. In everyday life, Jesus' presence is all around us. He just wants us to see that he is with us! We are never alone, no matter what happens, no matter the circumstances; we are not alone in this world. He is there. Can you see who walks with you? Can you hear who speaks your name? Can you feel something stirring in your heart?

Busy Week!

I wanted to post about American Idol this week and many other things, but life got in the way! We've been busy this week -- the addition on our parsonage is busily underway! I simply can't believe how quickly things have moved since last Sunday's Church Council meeting. The footings have been poured, we have a new septic tank, and the side of the house is gone and under plastic. We are so excited about the new rooms that are being added -- the new master bedroom, the TWO new bathrooms (and losing the narrow hallway one we now have), the walk-in closet in our bedroom, and the washer/dryer closet right by our bedroom! I will give updates as they come, and I will try to post a picture or two. Our dog Gabby, who is nearing 100 hates it and has been hiding out in the study away from the noise. We hope she makes it through this!

On another busy note, I had some minor surgery today. I went to the dermatologist and a couple suspcicious spots were noticed on my back. So today I went in and had them removed. All of the spots. And everything underneath. Way underneath. I just remember them talking about "understitches" under the top stitches. And for someone who's never had stitches of any kind in his 38 years, well, let's just say I'm glad it's all done. I am hopeful and prayerful that everything tests okay. I have a great doctor who has an awesome attitude and did a fantastic job. Thank you for your prayers. I know God is good. I have witnessed his mighty works in the lives and faithfulness of people around me. He is mighty to protect and to save.

Let's just say regarding American Idol that I was frankly impressed with the contestants this week. I worried about how they would handle Mariah Carey, and I thought they all did great. I do believe the judges were harsher than they should have been on the girls. I wonder if they still made comparisons to MC? I mean, c'mon ya'll, she has a 5 octave range! Who can compare to that? Very few. David Cook was probably my favorite, and I got goosebumps during David Archleta's song, which is a good sign too! Of course, I love the movie "The Prince of Egypt" anyway, so his choice was perfect. Kristy Lee being eliminated was not really a surprise, but I hope Brooke starts having better weeks. I am worried.

Everyone have a great weekend. I will try to -- even though I can't lean back or lay down. But I will try! God bless!