Happy Independence Day!

Broke Down and Belting Out

The following story was written by Westmeade Choir member, Jessica C.

This has been one of those weeks. Well, couple of weeks. I even had a dude try to break in the house (while I was in it!) and my cruddy car keeps breaking down on me. Well, a couple of nights ago, I managed to coast into a parking lot and I sat there for a second, quite frustrated (I have just the one car). My first thought was, "Well, crap." Then, out of nowhere, the part of Awesome God Medley where we're supposed to tap our Aretha Franklin...the "there ain't no stopping us...devil, there ain't no blocking us" part, pops in my head. You know when you feel you've been really stretched, a bad situation can seem kind of weirdly funny? Well, I'm sitting like a crazy person, in my beat up car, in the dark, belting out those two lines like I'm with the Brooklyn Tabernacle (you know, how most people are when no one else is around!), with the biggest smile on my face. I couldn't even get really upset. Since I was within a mile of my house, I walked home and I tried to keep it in my head, but I kept getting snippets out loud...and I mean loud. I'm sure the people thought I was a loon, but we'll just call it a unique way to witness!

Leftovers

Yesterday at lunch time I went home to eat with the kids. We did the normal routine of trying to decide what to eat. You know how it works. Look in the pantry. Look in the freezer. Look in the frig. Weigh the options. Decide. The verdict? In less than 30 seconds we had layed on the kitchen counter three incredible choices. Poppyseed chicken and rice, a unique take on soft tacos made from chuck roast (8 hrs. in the crock pot, no less), and a big, cheesy burger. Now here's the deal. The food had already been prepared, already been paid for, and the prep time was less than two minutes on each. Are you kidding me?! I confess that sometimes leftovers just don't do it for me. You know what I mean? Been there, done that, let's move on. But for some reason, yesterday those leftovers struck me as what they really were...the blessings of God. How good is God in that not only did He provide for me once, but there was so much provision that I was able to enjoy it again. And not only had He provided the meals (the first and second times), He provided the frig to keep the food and the microwave to reheat the food. WHAT?! While much of the world was wondering if they'd have anything to eat, I had been given the blessing of leftovers.

Thank You, Lord, for leftovers.

An Integrated Life

Have you ever heard the various aspects of a person's life referred to as separate entities? My work life. My home life. My family life. My recreational life. My church life. My life as a husband. My life as a father. My life as a brother. My life as an employee. As if these aspects can be defined apart from one another? I have not only heard these aspects referred to in such a way, I have referred to them this way myself. Worse, I have actually tried to live as if each were entirely distinct. This mindset has produced frustration and at times deceipt (for self and others).

We have but one personality, one life and one opportunity. Today, I can choose to be who I am, where I am, all for the One for Whom I was created.

Today, I can live an integrated life. You can too.

Mark your calendars now. Westmeade & DBC will meet together for four Wednesdays this Summer. The Westmeade music team will help lead worship for each event. Here are some of the specifics...

DATE, LOCATION & SPEAKER...
1. July 15 at DBC with Vance Pittman
2. July 22 at Westmeade with Eddie Rhodes
3. July 29 at Westmeade with Larry Grays
4. August 5 at DBC with Grant Etheridge

TIME...
Each service begins at 7:00pm.

CHOIR & BAND MUSIC...
1. July 15 - Lord, You're Holy*
2. July 22 - You Deserve the Glory**
3. July 29 - Awesome God Medley**
4. August 5 - Something Happens*

*SR'09 CD
**Spring Semester '09 CD

CHOIR...
The Westmeade Choir will combine with the DBC choir on all four evenings.

BAND...
The Westmeade Band will play when Westmeade is host. The dates are July 22 and July 29.

SINGERS...
The Westmeade Singers team on rotation will help lead worship when Westmeade is host. The dates are July 22 and July 29.

WEDNESDAY REHEARSALS...
1. When at DBC - no rehearsal
2. When at Westmeade – shortened rehearsal

MJ is gone.

So much could be said. Maybe soon. Right now...

SADNESS

In Case You Missed It...

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