Allergies Already

All day I have been in the cleaning mood, so I thought I best do some cleaning while the urge was present. It all started at the church. We just purchased a new copier/printer and the guy was delivering today. I got over there a little early to clear the way for him. The next thing you know, I was doing some major "house cleaning". When I came home, we ate supper and then I decided to hit the basement. Yuk!!! I worked downstairs for about an hour and I felt rather happy about the success that could be seen. I am now upstairs and my allergies are raging. Our basement has seen many floods and damp just about 24/7. So between the dampness and mold, it hit me good. Exciting.

Gas Pills 2

I was informed recentley that I never did explain what I really meant by my last blog, for which I am extremely embarassed because the reason for my posting this information was to really explain what I meant. The reason I was embarassed in my message was because the "gas pills" were not for what it sounds like they are for. They are small pills that you put in your gas tank and it is supposed to give you better gas milage.

Gas Pills

This past Sunday I had one of those embarassing moments (a couple actually). I was trying to illustrate the point that it is important to get behind what you believe because it will help you be more effective when you try to "sell it" to those in need. My illustration was about a man who recently was trying to sell someone "gas pills". I went on to say that the person who was supposed to buy these pills asked the seller if they really worked. The seller said he didn't know, because he really hadn't had time to try them out himself. By this time, I could tell by the looks on the faces in the congregation, my illustration was missing the mark. Of course, the smiles, smirks, and surpressed laughter made me keenly aware that I should have used a different term then "gas pills". Oh, well, maybe I should start selling them because after church different individuals asked if they could buy some for their better-halves:)

Music - Part 2

I am writing in response to a comment left on one of my post. To read, check comments under UBC Choir. Since I have the faintest clue who the author of that response was, I feel I have a little freedom to respond, even more so since it is my blog;) I would agree with the author on some aspects, maybe one, but disagree on others. I agree fully that some songs are overused simply because they are easy to sing and you can sing them without any practice at all. With that I agree. I think many time we see the lack of professionalism in our special singing due to this mindset. I greatly disagree with the statement that , "southern gospel has dumbed down our worship". It is clearly evident that the author is a fan of "classical" style music, and I, me, Matt Ellison, can't stand it. I prefer the "southern gospel" style. One of my favorite choirs is the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. For the most part I like their style, but occasionally they put in their a song that in very unfamiliar, but worshipful, and I grow to like it just as well as the gospel style songs. I am not against that. What I was meaning in my previous post was, I have set in services where the choir sang 80 - 90 percent songs that were unfamiliar to everyone in the congregation. The people left "unfulfilled" in their spirit. To me, that is the purpose to come to church, to worship and be touched. No I have not attended seminary for music and I may not be as educated in music as this author, but I do still have a strong opinion. By the way, I didn't realize Bach was one of our godly fore-fathers. I understand he was involved in many things that we as Christians do not accept. God may still have used some of his music, but on the other hand, He Touched Me, by Bill Gaither has been used just as greatly.

UBC Choir

We were privileged to have the Union Bible College Select Choir at our church yesterday morning. They were awsome. That was definetly the best choir that I have heard in a long time. Then again, I have heard that many recently. Their sound was beautiful. They had a 9 piece orchastra that consisted on a cello, 2 violins, 2 flutes, a trumpet, a french horn, a saxaphone, and kettle drums. The thing that stuck out to me was that they sang songs that people knew for the most part. Songs like, "When He was on the cross, I was on His mind" and "The Lighthouse" etc. I am convinced that a choir service is much better recieved by a congregation where the songs that are sung are familiar to those listening. There may be a select few in our congregations that like the "high-flutin'" songs that sound like Bach's 5,6,7 movements, but on the whole those types of songs do not connect with the people. When I come to a church service I want to worship God and I worship God by connecting with the songs. I don't come to church for a concert and to see what level of songs the choir is capable of singing. So much for my ramblings. These thoughts are just deep rooted beliefs that I felt were confirmed yesterday morning, not only to myself, but also to the 200 people who were setting in the congregation.

Is Hillary a threat in 2008?

Recently I was in an interesting discussion. The matter at hand was, "Is Hillary Clinton a threat in the 2008 elections?" As you may know, posted on Jon Plank's blog, the results of this discussion are laid bare. You will notice that I alone said no, she will not even make the primary. I have many reasons for my decision and I will not be swayed on my thoughts. First off, I don't think there are as many people that like her as the media would like you to believe. I think it is all a bunch of hyped-up coverage. Secondly, I do not think that America as a whole is ready for a woman president, even if her name is Hillary Clinton. In my humble opinion, a woman president will not be threat until at least 2016. But, Hollywood is helping us prepare for it with a popular TV program called Commander in Chief. It is about a woman who is Vice-President but becomes President because the President dies. This show apparently has been on the rise in popularity. Yes, with propaganda like this I believe we will see a woman president some day, but it will not be a major threat until 2016, in my opinion!!!

Praying Son

Well it has been a while since I was here last as you all know, especially if you you read Jon Plank's blog. (Thanks Jon for reminding me and everyone else)!!!!! Justin has become an avid pray-er at our family feedings. He doesn't think anyone else's prayers are sufficient. He does a good job at it. But now his prayers are expanding. Last Wednesday I started getting sick with the dreaded flu. By Thursday I had it bad. Now my wife calls me a wuss, but only I know the pain I was in and it was bad. I wanted to put the "sick curse" on her but being the nice guy that I am, I refrained. I didn't have too. It wasn't long until she was feeling ucky too. So here we are both with this terrible flu. I am proud to say that the first knock-down-drag-out fight we ever had in our 6 years of marriage was this week as we fought over the toilet! (Don't tell my wife I exposed such a truth)!
As we were both in such pain, I thought it would be good to pray and ask God to send one of us, if not both, some relief so taking care of the kids would be a little easier. Well, Justin heard us praying and now every-so-often he comes into where ever we are and makes us stop what we are doing so he can again pray for mommy and daddy. God did hear his prayer and sent us relief in the form of a mother-in-law. God does work in mysterious ways. It wasn't the exact relief I was looking for, but she sure was a help. On a serious note, it was neat to show Justin that mommy and daddy were feeling better and when he asked the famous "why" we were able to say because Jesus heard your prayers. Hopefully that is a lesson he will grasp and hold on to for the rest of his life.