“So then as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:10) In his sermon last Sunday, Pastor Synnott referred to Voice of the Martyrs, an organization that helps, supports, and prays for persecuted Christians worldwide. I thought it would be good to tell you… Read More »
One of our most important tasks as Christians is to disciple others and pass our faith, leadership, and “Kingdom” skills onto a new generation. To that end I would like to invite you to the first concert of the 2013-14 Trinity Concert Series on Friday, September 27 at 7:00 p.m. This concert will feature Rachel Keehner, who at… Read More »
We find from the Bible that ours is a singing faith. The people of God are ALWAYS singing: From the shores of the Red Sea to the shores of the Promised Land; from the Book of Exodus to the last chapter of Revelation. And then there are the many songs in the Book of Psalms and all the… Read More »
In our daily devotions this week, my wife and I have been reading the Book of Daniel. After reading Chapter 3, it occurred to me that for some reason we have a tendency to turn the gifts God gives us into idols. This is what King Nebuchadnezzar did in Daniel 3. In the previous chapter, God gave him… Read More »
Today’s Verse of the Day from the YouVersion Bible really struck me. We tend to think that it is our “job” to rejoice in God and what He has done for us. But, here is a remarkable passage from the prophet Zephaniah that puts a different perspective on things. The Lord your God is in your midst,a mighty… Read More »
The season of Lent is a “season” of the Church Year – a time for somber reflection on our sin and our sinful nature. It is a time for penitence and confession and a time to receive God’s forgiveness – to hear with new ears and open hearts and minds how much our God loves us. As the… Read More »
As we come across another milestone in the Liturgical Year, I’m reminded of the great gift that the Liturgical Year is to those who practice it. The greatest gift is that the Liturgical Year helps to keep our attention focused on the person, the work, and the teachings of Jesus Christ. And that’s what the Christian faith is… Read More »
Upon reading 1 Chronicles 23-25, many people do not realize that the establishment and organization of the worship and music of the tabernacle and temple was not done so at the whim of King David, but rather because it had been ordained and instituted by God. In his book The Lord’s Song: The Basis, Function and Significance of Choral… Read More »
I woke up this morning with Allen Pote’s “A Song of Promise” running through my brain (we rehearsed it for good 30 minutes at our choir rehearsal last night). It is an interesting and effective setting of a passage from the book of Isaiah. And then I realized that one of the unique things about a choir rehearsing… Read More »
Congratulations to all the students who performed this afternoon at the Illinois Music Educator Association’s annual state conference in Peoria. Your performances were truly musical and very inspiring touching many aspects of our lives and souls. Thanks also to the teachers and directors who made these concerts possible. Your efforts are producing blessings upon number. It is essential… Read More »