This past Friday evening, we went to see the Christmas Musical-"A Storybook Christmas", put on by our church, New Life Assembly of God. Freeman portrayed Joseph. The scene with Mary, the angel, and Joseph was my favorite last year and it was my favorite again this year, especially with Freeman's mellow voice joining the other two gentle voices. The angel's proclamation to Mary, her uncertainty and willingness, and Joseph's bravery and reassurance from an angel as well, all blended together into a tender portrayal of the very beginnings of Christ as man. Freeman was also a part of some other fun scenes.
The musical was based around a central theme demonstrated by a frantic rabbit's desire to not be late for a very important date-the birthday of the King. The rabbit and his cohorts-Katie, the tin-man, the cowardly lion, and the scarecrow, travel through story book land in order to find directions to the King's birthday party. There were numerous humorous scenes and we enjoyed it very much. Phil's favorite character was the rabbit. I think he was my favorite too. Phil's favorite scene was the mouse scene because Ruth Shirk played one of the mice. It's extra funny when you know the people playing the part and it seems as if the part was written for them instead of the other way around. Susan was in the Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe scene. She had fun being naughty and wild and didn't seem to have any stage fright at all. Michael sang and was part of the different crowd scenes.
I had some moments of uneasiness when I couldn't see Freeman or Michael during the final song. I saw them then, to the side on the floor, leaning over helping someone. I saw a cop walk up the aisle over to them and I was beginning to wonder if they stopped a terrorist or something. ( Not really, but all kinds of things go through your mind.) The whole time this is going on, Pastor Rob is singing his solo with gusto and the cast is smiling bravely, some aware, some not, of the crisis at hand. Ramona, Susan's unfortunate mother who lived in a shoe, had missed a step and fallen. The final diagnosis? A sprained ankle. So sorry that happened. Dianna filled in for her for the Sat. performances and did a great job, I hear.
On Sat. eve., Phil and I went to the annual Jones/Guild Christmas party. It's always alot of fun. Some of the teachers got a little too loud when we were roasting Dr. Hubler. Poor man, sick at home, and we were making jokes about his jokes. I am a little bit afraid to go into school on Wed.
All day Sat., I had been thinking about a little girl who I have in music. I got to hear her sing by herself and she has a beautiful voice. I wondered if her parents knew what kind of voice she has and what her musical background is. Just as we were leaving the party, another couple came in. Marcie introduced them to us as Brianna's grandparents. And it was their grandchild that I had been thinking about. I found out that she and her grandmother sing together alot and that her mother sings as well. How nice to be assured that they knew how well she could sing and that they appreciated her gift. I was so thankful to God for letting me find this out on the very day that I was wondering about it. He really does know our thoughts and answers before they turn into prayers.
We went to church Sunday morning. We enjoyed being with the Anglican's last Sunday, but I really missed our church. I had suggested to Margaret at the party Sat. night, that the way to give her husband, Dr. Hubler, a break, would be to come to our church one Sunday a month. "But," she said,"We're not charismatic." "And I'm not Anglican," said I. She had to laugh. I think it's a really good idea, actually.
Anyway, the worship was sweet and the Word was pure. Pastor Frank preached on what it will look like in the day when the Lord will come back. We had a similar discussion the night before at the party. If the day of His appearing will have the same appearance as Noah's Day what will that look like? What will be the signs of His coming?
#1-The church will become the church God intends it to be. God never intended for the church to be hidden in a church building. Churchlife will be exhibited in homes and will be out in the marketplace.
#2-There will be an acceleration of sin. People won't even realize it. He gave a quote from someone that sounded something like this. "The subtle wind of compromise is more devastating than the sudden jolt of destruction." (Selah.)
#3-Gray is going to disappear. Black and white will be drawing clearer lines. He is coming for a church without spot or wrinkle. (We think of spots or wrinkles that we can see. These are spots and wrinkles seen with the Holy Spotlight of the Presence of God. Uh-oh.)
In Nehemiah's day, the people had a mind to work. In 56 days, Nehemiah built a wall. Look what a group of people can do when they have a mind to work. Some walls need to be built. Some need to be torn down. (This will take courage and discernment.)
#4-People will be unaware that a storm is approaching. There will be business as usual.
Our economy is poor because of our sin. We know. Get yourself ready. It's too easy to blame others.
#5-There will be an ark prepared by an Active Savior. What will an active Savior look like in these days? It will look like this-His Spirit poured out on all flesh. So wherever I am, Jesus Christ is. We say that we are waiting for God. But, He is waiting for us. He is waiting for the church to do what it should have been doing all along.
Isaiah says that God will never leave us or forsake us. He has us engraved in the palm of His hand. Our challenges pale in comparison to what God can do. (I love that line. What are we going to believe in? God or our challenges? We give mere man and ourselves the benefit of the doubt, thinking the best about them. But do we do that with God? Do we really believe Him? I have heard His challenge in this. If we pray for something, we need to believe Him to answer beyond what we can believe for. If He answers differently, that's fine. But I want to believe for the best I know and if He answers differently, He knows a better best.)
Back to Pastor Frank...Anything God has ever done anytime, He can do now. Anywhere He has done anything, He can do that here. Anyone that God has done something for, He can do it for you and me. He is still the same God.
Heb.12:28-We are receiving a kingdom that is unshakable. Let us be thankful and please God and worship Him, for our God is a consuming fire.
Parenthesis mine.
After church, we went to La Parota with Philip, Michael, Susan, Chase, Eric, and April. Freeman was traveling to see a friend. We saw the Heltons, the Flowers, the Broadwaters and their extended family, Francesca and Fernando and their mom and her sisters, the Gibb's, the Mahan's,-all from church. It will be fun to eat together in Heaven and to have our bill paid in full. I wonder if we can eat food from all different countries...
We came home and rested and in the eve. Susan, Phil, and I went to Trinity Mennonite Church. It was soul satisfying to watch innocent faces wrapped in scarves and angel's wings, singing the songs of Christmas and acting out their significant parts. The youth entertained us with a humorous play about Herod and then we sang hymns together as a congregation. John and Jeanne came over and sat beside us for this part. Different people would call out a hymnbook color and number and Ray led us with his beautiful tenor voice. We joined the crowd downstairs for the wonderful food that is always available after the Hymn Sing. It was nice to see different families from other churches join Trinity for this experience. God seems to be re-uniting folks who used to worship together. He is bringing them back together to enjoy each other and His babe in the manger. The Prince of Peace at work in all places for such a time as this.
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