Choir Location

This was us last week.

This is us tonight.

What a difference one week makes!

Disney - Extra Magic and FastPass

We started at the Magic Kingdom, riding the Thunder Mountain Railroad, Space Mountain and laughing at Monster's Inc.
The second day we went to Epcot and rode Soarin', the Auto Test Track, and Mission to Mars. Our favorite was probably Soarin', but almost became ill on the Mars Mission.
The third day, and we were on to MGM Studios, probably our favorite of the four. The girls went around and around on the Rockin' Roller Coaster, and up and down on the Tower of Terror. Also fun was the Great American Movie Ride.
The fourth day, and we were back to the Magic Kingdom and added rides on the Pirates of the Carribean, and even though I thought we could skip it, It's a Small World. We also rode the ride to Never, Never Land, and a ride on the cars.
The last day we started at Animal Kingdom, minus two teenagers who had to sleep in late, but they caught up with us midway at the Animal Kingdom. There we road the Kilamonjaro Safari to see some of the park animals and took some good photos. We took in a noontime show of the Lion King, and watch the girls ride the Expedition to Everest roller coaster. We closed out the last day back at MGM for dinner at Mama Melrose, and watched the parade of the High School Musical. The girls went back to the Rockin' Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror, and we chilled out at the tribute to the Chronicles of Narnia.
Our best meals of the week were at 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridan to have dinner with Cinderella and the Prince. The step's also showed up to say hello. At Epcot, we ate at the Coral Reef, which was probably our best food stop of the trip. At Magic Kingdom, the Liberty Tavern was a great stop to greet Goofy, Pluto, Chip, and Minnie Mouse. I can't remember the exact name of the drive-in theater at the MGM, but it was an experience watching the terrible old movies out of the 50's and 60's. The meal at Mama Melrose at MGM was definately better.
We had a good stay at Port Orleans, Riverside in adjoining rooms. We rode the boat once back from our shopping experience at Downtown Disney. Otherwise, we rode the shuttle buses to each location.

Transforming the Worship Center

Sunday afternoon, we set up chairs in our new worship center! Some key individuals can be seen in multiple photos giving great directions. The names Paul and Karen quickly come to mind. We now have sending capacity for up to 800 people. I like how our pastor describes this, not as seating capacity for us to sit down and simply fill up space; but as sending capacity for us to be filled up with the Lord, and go, to tell others.

I had a high vantage point from which to snap these photos, having set up scaffolding 20' high at the front of the worship center to place the video screen. It's pretty cool, one button sends the screen down, and a second button sends it back up. There are up and down limit switches to prevent the screen from going too far in either directions.

We filled God's House with His Word, now we need to see that His House is filled with His Spirit, and of the glory of the knowledge of the Lord.

Monday Night Football

It was a great game in Baltimore. The Ravens lead almost all but the last minute of the game ... And that's the minute that counts in the record books! Brady and New England, have not lost a game all year. This would have been their first... except for a couple of 4th down conversions by the Patriots. The Ravens defense could not hold out until the end even though they'd played a great game. The loudest roar from the 70,000 in the stadium was when the defense sacked Brady twice in a row.

This had been my first NFL football game to attend since September 1984 when I went with my dad to see the Vikings in the Metrodome. We wished we would have left that game after the first quarter, because the Vikings were crushed by the San Diego Chargers, something like 44 to 3. Bud Grant was coaching then again, the year after his retirement.
If I follow my current schedule of attending NFL games, I should be returning by the time I turn 70!

Last night, the game was exciting until the deal was sealed with a penalty for defensive pass interference in the endzone by the Ravens. The Patriots definitely took the prize, and may be headed back to the Super Bowl, and the way they looked, ... undefeated.

OK, I have to put this self photo up to show that I was there. My wife actually likes this photo of me. She must see something that I don't!!!

Filling God's House

I like the story that Pastor Joel from First Baptist Church in Charlottesville told one Christmas Eve, about a child who wanted to fill the church for Christmas. The child first demonstrated how it could be done, by lighting a candle in the middle of the sanctuary. The light from that one candle could be seen throughout every darkened corner.

I was excited by two things this week. First, we joined in with many attenders of our church at Ironbridge Baptist, to fill our new worship center with God's word. This began on Wednesday evening at 7Pm and is nearly complete now as I write this at 8AM Sunday morning. As I entered the worship center from the far corner, I could hear the voice of the reader of the chapter and verse that were before me. Immediately I was reminded of the story from Pastor Joel, and now added to the story, that the spoken Word of God can fill the recesses of even the largest room.

The second thing I was encouraged by was to rehearse with my youngest daughter, the songs the children will be singing in their Christmas program on December 16th. The song, "Take Your Candle, Go Light Your World," is the highlighted song towards the end of the musical. I love this song. I can't wait to hear it song by the children in this new sanctuary.

There is a candle in every soul,

Some brightly burning, some dark and cold,

There is a Spirit who brings fire,

Ignites a candle and makes His home.

Carry your candle, run to the darkness,

Seek out the hopeless, confused and torn,

Hold out your candle for all to see it,

Take your candle, and go light your world,

Take your candle, and go light your world.

Words by Kathy Troccoli.

I know what we really want to do, is fill God's house with His Word,

and with the light of His Spirit that He places within us,

and with the souls of our relatives, friends, neighbors and coworkers.

Cracker Barrel Encouragement

We've been enjoying the food and fellowship at the local Cracker Barrel for several years now, since I can't remember when. I'm encouraged
each week to meet with a group of dedicated guys. This table is actually too small for the group that comes on a regular schedule. I hope that we've built more than just a social hour, and that we've touched the very heart of God with our Bible study and prayer time.

This week, I stumbled upon a country song, which was playing at a particularly difficult time. It was a busy weekend. There were needed repairs to older vehicles, a fender bender, broken Christmas lights, miscommunication with a close loved one. It should have been a happy beginning of the Christmas season. I needed a big boost of encouragement.

As I listened to the words of this song, I was encouraged, and my spirit was reminded of the truth in God's Word where the encouragement
comes from. My wish, is that all who read this are encouraged as I was, and that every phrase of this song comes true in your life.

• I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow,

Ecclesiastes 3:22 So I saw that there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work,

Ecclesiastes 11:8 However many years a man may live, let him enjoy them all.

• and each road leads you where you wanna go,

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

and if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose,I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.

Matthew 7:14 small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

• And if one door opens to another door closed,

Matthew 7:7"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

Revelation 3:20'Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.

John 10:7 So Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the door for the sheep.

• I hope you keep on walkin' till you find the window,

Genesis 8:6 After forty days Noah opened the window he had made in the ark

• My wish for you, that this life becomes all that you want it to,

3 John 3:2 Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and
a future.

• Your Dreams stay big,

Acts 2:17 your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.

Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish

• Your Worries stay small,

Phillipians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

1 Peter 5:7casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Matthew 6:25" For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Consider the birds of the air...

Matthew 6:27"And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?

• 
  Carry just what you can hold,

Matthew 11:30"For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

1 Corinthians 10:13 God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able,

I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,

John 15:13" Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.

Jeremiah 31:3 The LORD appeared to him from afar, saying,"I have loved you with an everlasting love.

• Never look back, but never forget, all the ones who love you in the place you left,

Hebrews 11:39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. 40God had planned something
better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

John 17:20"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,

• I hope you always forgive, and never regret,

Matthew 6:14 For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

and you help somebody every chance you get,

1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.

Galatians 6:2 Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.

James 1:27Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress,

• Find God's grace in every mistake,

Jeremiah 31:2 The people who survived the sword Found grace in the wilderness--

Luke 23:34 But Jesus was saying, " Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing

• Thanks be to God for His Word!
• Thanks to the Biblegateway.com
• Thank you to Rascal Flatts for this song:
  My Wish Lyrics

- I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow,

and each road leads you where you wanna go,

and if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose,

I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.

And if one door opens to another door closed,

I hope you keep on walkin' till you find the window,

if it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile.

But more than anything, more than anything...

- My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,

your dreams stay big, your worries stay small,

You never need to carry more than you can hold,

and while you're out there getting where you're getting to,

I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,

Yeah, this, is my wish.

- I hope you never look back, but you never forget,

all the ones who love you, in the place you left,

I hope you always forgive, and you never regret, and you help somebody every chance you get,

Oh, you find God's grace, in every mistake,

and always give more than you take.

But More than anything, yeah, more than anything...

- My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,

your dreams stay big, your worries stay small,

You never need to carry more than you can hold,

and while you're out there getting where you're getting to,

I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,

Yeah, this, is my wish. Yeah.

- My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,

your dreams stay big, your worries stay small,

You never need to carry more than you can hold,

and while you're out there getting where you're getting to,

I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,

Yeah, this, is my wish.

Been there, paid the bill!

We had a great time in Orlando. Mickey and I had a great financial deal, and we both came away smiling in the end. Mickey had a big bill for salaries, electricity for all the rides we rode, and the cost of food for all the meals we enjoyed. All I needed to do was pay the final bill and enjoy the ride. And we sure did. I hope he can continue to come up with good movies like Narnia. I already have my calendar set for May 16th 2008 to see the 2nd in the series come out, Prince Caspian. I didn't get my picture taken with Buzz or Mater, just Mickey. I may have to go back another time to see Mike Wis..owski, because I laughed so hard when my daughter was called out to answer a question about Chester Virginia, a large Island in the South Pacific with the Eiffel Tower. Her answer was, yes... There's a lot about my home I didn't know!