SUMMER THOUGHTS

Summers for me are sort of a "down time" from the bustling rest of the year. In fact, my "year" seems to actually start in September - this is the springboard from which the next 365 days happens. Being in education and in ministry, it just falls together this way. So it is, that I'm entering "December" of my year. I am looking forward to getting back to work at school and the fall season at Faith UMC. So, my thoughts, as of late, have centered around the planning of things for fall - both at school and at church. I will be starting back to work at school this next week, so that part of my world will be picking up considerably by this time next week.

Just A Thought - I always think that one of the necessary components for anyone working in ministry is the ability and love of planning. It seems that planning is a large percentage of what one does in leading ministry - so I guess I qualify because I love to plan. Anyhow, just a thought. . .

Our House Project - My family has embarked on a long awaited project on the homefront. For the most part, it's myself, my brother and my father that are involved. We have started the process of what will become my dad's renovated house. The house is 45 years old and shows every bit of it. Right now, we are clearing out over 40 years worth of "stuff". I thought that we should have one of those Home and Garden Channel TV shows come to the house - they'd have a heyday! The basic plan is to, once cleared out, have a new roof put on, redo the living room, kitchen, and bathroom. We also want to convert an old Florida room into a dining room, and a closed in carport into at TV room. There are also the many other things that go along with an old house like plumbing and electrical things to be done, too. So, we're pluggin' along. I'll keep you posted on how things are going.

Hanging Out At Sherry's - I'm at my friend - Sherry's - house right now. She has been kind enough to let me use her computer since I still don't have one at home on the internet. Sherry and I have been singing together for the past 6 years in a ministry we call "Cross Roads." We sing at churches and Christian related outdoor festivals and charities. We pretty much sing all styles of Christian music. Saturday is generally our rehearsal day - it's become sort of a tradition for us as we rehearse together and then we go out for supper with Sherry's kids (of course, when I can afford it!). So, hopefully the weather is going to hold up this afternoon and we can be storm free.

MY FIRST ONE

I thought I'd give this "blog" thing a try. After reading through Pastor Debbie Allen's blog the last couple of months, I was inspired, as I love to do things like this. I used to do something like this several years ago, except that they didn't call them "blogs" back then. I'll have information posted on occasionally, but not likely to be on a regular schedule. With my machine now out of commission at home, my computer time is much more limited. I hope in the next couple of months this will no longer be the case.


A GREAT CONFERENCE - As many of you know, I attended the Kempke's "Music Explosion" Conference in Daytona Beach. I have been attending this conference for 6 years now, and look forward to it every year. Kempke's Music Service is a major distributor of church music and sound equipment. They are headquartered near Orlando, but hold conferences in Texas and Minnesota in addition to Florida. We have a chance to not only sample the new music ministry offerings, but also interact with music ministers and pastors from all over the eastern US. We also get to spend time with some of the folks who write our music. So, as usual, this was a real blessing for us this year!


ALMOST BACK TO WORK - Two weeks from today (actually less) I should be back to work at school - getting back into my "busy" routine. Part of me actually looks forward to getting back to work - sometimes hanging around the house - albeit still busy - gets very boring and dull. There's always the other part of me, though, that IS still into hanging around the house.


LOTS OF LISTENING - As most church music directors do, I have spent a lot of the Summer listening to many and various Christmas musicals. There are many things that go into selecting just the right presentation for a music ministry. It's always more difficult in the first year in a new church. Getting to know everyone on a personal level as well as getting to know the personalities of the choirs always figures into it. The most dependable thing, though, is keeping it in prayer. I learned a long time ago - one year when I decided to lean on myself instead of on God - that if He isn't involved in all parts of the process, then it will not have the impact - it will not be what it could have been with Him. So, as much as I listen to those CDs, and listen to folks' input - I find that I mostly listen to God.