Worship Wednesday: Woonsocket Day of Prayer

What is the likelyhood that you could get two churches of different traditions to work together for a common goal? How about 10 churches? Pretty slim right? Well what if I told you that this past weekend I participated in a prayer service involving not two churches, not ten churches, but twenty churches of different traditions, who came together as the body of Christ to pray for our city.

To me this is what unity is all about. Where we can put aside the things that divide us and concentrate on the things we have in common. Every church at this prayer meeting cares about vour city, loves Jesus, and realizes that He is the only one that is going to bring about a change in our city. It is not going to take more social programs, though God can use those to help the hurting. It is not going to take rallies or angry mobs, though God can use those to bring awareness. It is going to take God's people getting on their knees and praying for the people God loves (which by the way is everyone.)

Sometimes, I think what keeps God from moving is the lack of unity of His people. Maybe it is time we stopped trying to build our own little kingdoms and started building God's Kingdom. I'd love to hear your opinions.

Fun Fridays: Sprucing Up the Place - Quote Mural

We have spent the last couple of weekends painting the stairwell of our three tenement house. The property is owned by my mother in-law and my sister in-law and brother in-law live on the second and third floors respectively. We chose a bright yellow (Valspar - Soft Duckling) wall color that makes the stairwell clean and bright. We then decided to paint a quote on the wall on the landing between the first and second floors.

The quote is visible as you enter the side door from the porch (this is the main entrance used by the family and guests.) I really love the way it turned out. I used two complimentary colors (Valspar - Rich Chocolate and Bear Claw) that I was able to get in 8 oz. sample sizes. I drew the layout of the letters lightly in pencil and painted them freehand. The whole mural measures approx. 3 1/2 feet wide by 6 feet tall.I'm still trying to decide what to do on the landing between the second and third floors, but will definitely be sharing when I do.

Worship Wednesdays: Getting Ready for Christmas

Christmas?!? Really?!? It's not even November yet,  but yes if I'm going to get ahead of the scheduling insanity that is the holiday season, I need to start thinking about our church's annual Christmas program. This year after listening to far to much Christmas music in July I have decided to have our choir perform Bethlehem Morning - A Ready to Sing Christmas.I like the simple arrangement and the fact that the selections have some style variation. (Too many Musicals and Cantatas I've listened to seem to get stuck in one particular style for every selection.) Of course if I had the time I would design my own program (I've done that twice now, and though the results are rewarding the time and effort is just beyond what I can handle this year.)

I know not every church out there has a choir (we only have one at Christmas time) but there is something about the traditional choral selections at this time of year that resonate with people, especially the unchurched. Almost everyone is familiar with Christmas carols and when combined with powerful narration and scripture reading can make for an unexpected evangelical service. For many this might be one of the only time during the year that they are thinking about God or are willing to even attended a church service.

So, I would encourage you to start thinking ahead, and planning how you will proclaim not just Christ's birth this Christmas but also His death and resurrection. Choral music might not be your thing or fit into your church's culture, but the message of His coming and taking on flesh definitely ought to be. Take some time to plan out your holidays and feel free to let me know what your planning this holiday season.

Managing Mondays: Recipe - Hot Cocoa Mix

This mix makes a great gift, but is also great just to have on hand for your family or just yourself.

INGREDIENTS:

3 cups instant nonfat dry milk

2 cups powdered sugar
1 1/2 cups cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips
1/4 teaspoon salt

DIRECTIONS:

Mix all the ingredients together and then working in small batches pulse the mix in a food prcessor until the white chocolate chips are finely ground and the mixture is uniform. This can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

To make Hot  Cocoa put 1/4 cup of mixture in a mug and stir in 1 cup of hot milk.

You can top this with whipped cream of mini marshmallows.

You can also substitute milk chocolate chips for the white chips, or even use mint chips for a real treat.

Fun Fridays: Getting Crafty with Snowmen Mason Jars

We have more craft fairs coming up so I'm once again painting mason jars. This time I decided to create snowmen.

These were "painted" using paint pens. They are really easy to use and provide a level of control that I can no longer get with regular brushes due to my fibro. I then place the painted jars on a cookie sheet and place them in a cool oven. Next, I turn the oven to 350 and bake for 30 minutes including preheat time. Finally I let them cool in the oven. 

These jars are going to be embellished with ribbons and filled with homemade Hot Cocoa Mix. I'll be sharing the recipe for that on Monday.

Worship Wednesday: Lift Me Up

Okay, maybe trying to get back into writing as I head into the busiest time of the year isn't the best move on my part. I'm sitting here trying to gather my thoughts and figure out what to write about, not that I don't have a lot of ideas, more like too many ideas. Where do I start!??

Pray

I forget that all important first step much of the time. I'm a very impulsive person with a bit of impatience thrown in for good measure. Put that together with being creative and having limited energy due to chronic illness and it's a wonder I finish anything. I either lose interest or become discouraged with the results (I'm a bit of a perfectionist as well.) With that said, some time spent with God in prayer puts everything back in perspective. It allows me to reconnect with the creator and be even more creative. It helps me to refocus my priorities on what is really important. I'm also reminded that I don't have to do things in my own strength and ability. As a matter of fact I shouldn't. I should be relying on God more and more.

Like a child holding his father's hand as you walk along, eventually you will tire and your father will pick you up on His shoulders. Not only will you find rest but also a new perspective on the world.