Ok, here you go. My ACC Tournament picks for this year. Enjoy.
Thursday's Games:
GA Tech over Boston College
NCSU over VA Tech
Wake Forest over Maryland
Florida State over Clemson (sorry Mrs. Lilly)
Friday's Games (assumes my picks win on Thursday):
Miami over GA Tech
NCSU over Virginia
Duke over Wake Forest
UNC over Florida State
Saturday's Games (assumes my picks win on Friday):
NCSU over Miami
UNC over Duke
Sunday's Game (assumes my picks win on Saturday):
NCSU over UNC
Yes, I know I'm an NC State fan. If I set that aside for a moment, my second choice would be UNC. Not because I like them that much, but if it turns out to be Duke vs. UNC on Saturday, I think UNC wins the game. They have a lot to make up for after the last game between these two teams.
Just my opinion. That and a dollar will buy you a Snickers bar at the grocery store.
Monday, March 11, 2013
Friday, February 1, 2013
God is Sovereign
Sovereign in the mountain air
Sovereign on the ocean floor
With me in the calm
With me in the storm
Sovereign in my greatest joy
Sovereign in my deepest cry
With me in the dark
With me at the dawn
Sovereign on the ocean floor
With me in the calm
With me in the storm
Sovereign in my greatest joy
Sovereign in my deepest cry
With me in the dark
With me at the dawn
In Your everlasting arms
All the pieces of my life
From beginning to the end I can trust You
In Your never-failing love
You work everything for good
God whatever comes my way I will trust You
All the pieces of my life
From beginning to the end I can trust You
In Your never-failing love
You work everything for good
God whatever comes my way I will trust You
All my hopes all I need
Held in Your hands
All my life all of me
Held in Your hands
All my fears all my dreams
Held in Your hands
Held in Your hands
All my life all of me
Held in Your hands
All my fears all my dreams
Held in Your hands
Chris Tomlin | Jason Ingram | Jonas
Myrin | Martin Chalk | Matt Redman
©
2012 Said And Done Music A Thousand Generations Publishing sixsteps Music Sixsteps
Songs worshiptogether.com songs Worship Together Music Thankyou Music Sony/ATV
Timber Publishing Open Hands Music SHOUT! Music Publishing Martin Chalk
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Whom Shall I Fear
You hear me when I
call
You are my morning
song
Though darkness fills
the night
It cannot hide the
light
Whom shall I fear
You crush the enemy
underneath my feet
You are my sword and
shield
Though troubles
linger still
Whom shall I fear
I know Who goes
before me
I know Who stands
behind
The God of angel
armies is always by my side
The One who reigns
forever
He is a friend of
mine
The God of angel
armies is always by my side
My strength is in
Your name
For You alone can
save
You will deliver me
Yours is the victory
Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear
And nothing formed
against me shall stand
You hold the whole
world in Your hands
I'm holding on to
Your promises
You are faithful
You are faithful
Chris
Tomlin | Ed Cash | Scott Cash
©
2012 Worship Together Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
Sixsteps
Songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
A
Thousand Generations Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
Alletrop
Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)
Monday, December 31, 2012
New Year's Roadmap
For those who know me as a worship pastor, the word "roadmap" is an important one for me. I use a roadmap each week that I lead worship. It's not original with me - I got the idea from the man who mentored me in music ministry and worship leadership, Eric Bruton.
The idea is to try to write down all the elements of the weekly corporate worship service, including the parts of each song we're singing, transitions, notes for myself, important directions for our tech team, and much more. It serves as the roadmap for the service each week. However an important thing to remember is that it is only a guide. It represents my best efforts to prepare to lead our worship services well under the prayerful leadership of the Holy Spirit. That means if God decides to do something different, I still need to be ready and able to make any needed transitions to ensure we are faithful to follow Him. He, of course, is our worship leader, not me.
As I've been thinking over the last few days about New Year's Day, I think looking at 2013 also requires a roadmap. Many people make resolutions they rarely keep past the first week. A roadmap, at least as I've defined it, makes more sense to me. It represents a guide for my life in 2013, based entirely on what God is already doing in my life and where He's leading me to go. But it is also flexible, so if and when God speaks and moves me in a different direction, I am ready to go.
God has been working on me for some time now, particularly in the last six months. He's called me to make some difficult choices. He's challenged me to think about some things differently. He's reminded me of what's most important in my life. I'm getting a clearer picture of what He desires. I pray I keep listening and watching for what He desires for me.
So, here's my 2013 roadmap. I'll spare you all of the details and just hit the highlights. God is still filling in some of the blanks for me in terms of specific ways to measure my results.
1. Grow in a relationship with the Lord daily through Bible study, prayer & obedience.
2. Be a better pastor with my family - make this my top priority in ministry.
3. Select a few people who are willing to invest their lives into mine.
4. Continue investing my life into several young people who desire to serve in ministry.
5. Develop better personal habits to improve my testimony for the Lord.
6. Improve my efforts to be a life-long learner - in Bible study, music, ministry & teaching
7. Focus more on the ministry moments God provides in each day.
8. Be a pastor and teacher that makes a positive impact in the lives of others for God's glory.
9. Know when to say "no" in order to focus on God's best for me & those I serve.
10. Find new ways to get better organized to achieve all God desires for me.
Yes, I know that's a lot. But remember - it's not in my strength anyway. May it happen as God desires, and totally and only for His glory. Happy New Year!
Pastor Randy
The idea is to try to write down all the elements of the weekly corporate worship service, including the parts of each song we're singing, transitions, notes for myself, important directions for our tech team, and much more. It serves as the roadmap for the service each week. However an important thing to remember is that it is only a guide. It represents my best efforts to prepare to lead our worship services well under the prayerful leadership of the Holy Spirit. That means if God decides to do something different, I still need to be ready and able to make any needed transitions to ensure we are faithful to follow Him. He, of course, is our worship leader, not me.
As I've been thinking over the last few days about New Year's Day, I think looking at 2013 also requires a roadmap. Many people make resolutions they rarely keep past the first week. A roadmap, at least as I've defined it, makes more sense to me. It represents a guide for my life in 2013, based entirely on what God is already doing in my life and where He's leading me to go. But it is also flexible, so if and when God speaks and moves me in a different direction, I am ready to go.
God has been working on me for some time now, particularly in the last six months. He's called me to make some difficult choices. He's challenged me to think about some things differently. He's reminded me of what's most important in my life. I'm getting a clearer picture of what He desires. I pray I keep listening and watching for what He desires for me.
So, here's my 2013 roadmap. I'll spare you all of the details and just hit the highlights. God is still filling in some of the blanks for me in terms of specific ways to measure my results.
1. Grow in a relationship with the Lord daily through Bible study, prayer & obedience.
2. Be a better pastor with my family - make this my top priority in ministry.
3. Select a few people who are willing to invest their lives into mine.
4. Continue investing my life into several young people who desire to serve in ministry.
5. Develop better personal habits to improve my testimony for the Lord.
6. Improve my efforts to be a life-long learner - in Bible study, music, ministry & teaching
7. Focus more on the ministry moments God provides in each day.
8. Be a pastor and teacher that makes a positive impact in the lives of others for God's glory.
9. Know when to say "no" in order to focus on God's best for me & those I serve.
10. Find new ways to get better organized to achieve all God desires for me.
Yes, I know that's a lot. But remember - it's not in my strength anyway. May it happen as God desires, and totally and only for His glory. Happy New Year!
Pastor Randy
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Giving Thanks
If you ask my family, they'll tell you it's quite unusual for me to be up at this time. It's 12:30am on Thursday, Nov. 22. Thanksgiving Day is here. We had a great dinner tonight (or rather, last night) with my brother and his family. Today, we give thanks for all God has done and given us. We'll spend time with family and friends, and even eat a good bit of turkey and all the things that go along with it. Not a bad way to spend the day.
I've seen many people posting their lists of what they're thankful for all month long. Many more will spend time around the dinner table today doing the same. I'm all for that, even if I didn't post all that I'm thankful for on Facebook or Twitter this year. But there's something I hope we don't miss - we should be thankful all year long. Every day. Good or bad. Happy or sad. Not just in November. Not just on Thanksgiving Day. But every day. I firmly believe that only God can do that in our lives. There are just too many ups and downs in this life.
I get the privilege of preaching at Wakefield Baptist Church this Sunday. In 1 Thess. 5:16-18, we are encouraged to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks to God in everything. In fact, Paul tells us that doing this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for us. There is nothing in this passage that qualifies how or when this is to take place. That's because it's to happen all the time. Only God can give us that ability, starting with the love He shows us through salvation. Then He extends it through grace for every day. If we live a life of worship to Him, we will be able to fulfill these truths.
The title of the message on Sunday is "Throw Out Your Thanksgiving Leftovers". Here's the idea. You are probably like me, in that we love this day of Thanksgiving. Not only for the reminder to give thanks for everything, but also for the delicious food we'll get to eat. We'll also ask everyone sitting around the table to tell one thing they are thankful for. For the most part, we only eat this combination of food and ask for lists of thankfulness once a year - at Thanksgiving. We sit down at the table and dig in, enjoying the food so much, maybe too much! Then we put the leftovers in the refrigerator, which become lunches and dinners for what seems like an eternity. But one thing I've noticed about those leftovers - while they still taste pretty good in the few days after Thanksgiving, those meals are never the same as they are on Thanksgiving Day.
It seems we get so excited about Thanksgiving week and the Thanksgiving Day meal. The food tastes so good, and we are so thankful for it and everything else. Then we deal with leftovers, and the excitement isn't quite the same. The food doesn't taste quite the same. And the longer time passes from Thanksgiving, the less excited we get. God's Word tells us to rejoice ALWAYS, pray WITHOUT CEASING, and give thanks in EVERYTHING. I say that same excitement from Thanksgiving Day should carry over to every day of our lives. Again, that's the will of God in Christ Jesus for us. I say our lives should be filled with giving thanks, not just at the dinner table, but throughout each day.
So, throw out the Thanksgiving leftovers. Maybe not the food, at least for a few days. But throw out the leftovers that cause us to only give thanks when the calendar tells us to. Throw out the leftovers that allow our hearts to get bogged down with the troubles of life. Throw out the leftovers that cause us to take our eyes off the One who loves us and knows exactly what's best for us. Now, that's true Thanksgiving!
Pastor Randy
I've seen many people posting their lists of what they're thankful for all month long. Many more will spend time around the dinner table today doing the same. I'm all for that, even if I didn't post all that I'm thankful for on Facebook or Twitter this year. But there's something I hope we don't miss - we should be thankful all year long. Every day. Good or bad. Happy or sad. Not just in November. Not just on Thanksgiving Day. But every day. I firmly believe that only God can do that in our lives. There are just too many ups and downs in this life.
I get the privilege of preaching at Wakefield Baptist Church this Sunday. In 1 Thess. 5:16-18, we are encouraged to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks to God in everything. In fact, Paul tells us that doing this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for us. There is nothing in this passage that qualifies how or when this is to take place. That's because it's to happen all the time. Only God can give us that ability, starting with the love He shows us through salvation. Then He extends it through grace for every day. If we live a life of worship to Him, we will be able to fulfill these truths.
The title of the message on Sunday is "Throw Out Your Thanksgiving Leftovers". Here's the idea. You are probably like me, in that we love this day of Thanksgiving. Not only for the reminder to give thanks for everything, but also for the delicious food we'll get to eat. We'll also ask everyone sitting around the table to tell one thing they are thankful for. For the most part, we only eat this combination of food and ask for lists of thankfulness once a year - at Thanksgiving. We sit down at the table and dig in, enjoying the food so much, maybe too much! Then we put the leftovers in the refrigerator, which become lunches and dinners for what seems like an eternity. But one thing I've noticed about those leftovers - while they still taste pretty good in the few days after Thanksgiving, those meals are never the same as they are on Thanksgiving Day.
It seems we get so excited about Thanksgiving week and the Thanksgiving Day meal. The food tastes so good, and we are so thankful for it and everything else. Then we deal with leftovers, and the excitement isn't quite the same. The food doesn't taste quite the same. And the longer time passes from Thanksgiving, the less excited we get. God's Word tells us to rejoice ALWAYS, pray WITHOUT CEASING, and give thanks in EVERYTHING. I say that same excitement from Thanksgiving Day should carry over to every day of our lives. Again, that's the will of God in Christ Jesus for us. I say our lives should be filled with giving thanks, not just at the dinner table, but throughout each day.
So, throw out the Thanksgiving leftovers. Maybe not the food, at least for a few days. But throw out the leftovers that cause us to only give thanks when the calendar tells us to. Throw out the leftovers that allow our hearts to get bogged down with the troubles of life. Throw out the leftovers that cause us to take our eyes off the One who loves us and knows exactly what's best for us. Now, that's true Thanksgiving!
Pastor Randy
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
So Much To Do, So Little Time
Well....I'm back. It's been a couple of months since my last post. While I've thought about writing again often, I've not had the time (or made the time) to sit down and do it. So, it's good to be back.
I've been overwhelmed for a while now by this: there's so much I'd like to do, but so little time to do it. Some things on my list are heavy, like finishing my masters degree. Some are almost as heavy, like doing more reading and study on being a better teacher. I've certainly got a good bit of info and material on that one, but it's just a matter of reading through it, thinking and praying over it, and deciding on a few things to try to do well. Then there's some lighter things, like just doing more reading in general across the board. Hey, I've even considered doing some more formal Christian writing...now that's really outside the box for me.
In trying to process all these "good" things, God has continued to remind me to focus on the "best" things. Those things that are consistent with His Word and His will for my life. He's reminded me that I will need to say "no" to some good things so I don't miss His best. This became especially true with two opportunities presented to me at school. These two things were something I have wanted to do for some time, but the opportunity had not presented itself. I desperately wanted to say "yes" to both of them. However, after much prayer and talking with Felicia, I declined the opportunities. As I considered them, God kept reminding me of other things that are more important in my life right now.
I was reminded of this again last Sunday, when our Pastor preached from Jonah. We as Christians get the idea that God will always open the door for what we should do and close the door for the rest. What we have to remember is that not every open door is God's will for us. That's why we pray and seek His face in all things. Then, when we have His leading and His peace, we proceed. I'm reminded of how even Paul in the New Testament knew he was in God's will even when there was tribulation and adversaries all around him.
So, I continue to seek the Lord in prayer and the reading of His Word. Trusting every decision, every choice to His good pleasure. Knowing that where He leads, there is peace and victory in all areas of life.
Pastor Randy
I've been overwhelmed for a while now by this: there's so much I'd like to do, but so little time to do it. Some things on my list are heavy, like finishing my masters degree. Some are almost as heavy, like doing more reading and study on being a better teacher. I've certainly got a good bit of info and material on that one, but it's just a matter of reading through it, thinking and praying over it, and deciding on a few things to try to do well. Then there's some lighter things, like just doing more reading in general across the board. Hey, I've even considered doing some more formal Christian writing...now that's really outside the box for me.
In trying to process all these "good" things, God has continued to remind me to focus on the "best" things. Those things that are consistent with His Word and His will for my life. He's reminded me that I will need to say "no" to some good things so I don't miss His best. This became especially true with two opportunities presented to me at school. These two things were something I have wanted to do for some time, but the opportunity had not presented itself. I desperately wanted to say "yes" to both of them. However, after much prayer and talking with Felicia, I declined the opportunities. As I considered them, God kept reminding me of other things that are more important in my life right now.
I was reminded of this again last Sunday, when our Pastor preached from Jonah. We as Christians get the idea that God will always open the door for what we should do and close the door for the rest. What we have to remember is that not every open door is God's will for us. That's why we pray and seek His face in all things. Then, when we have His leading and His peace, we proceed. I'm reminded of how even Paul in the New Testament knew he was in God's will even when there was tribulation and adversaries all around him.
So, I continue to seek the Lord in prayer and the reading of His Word. Trusting every decision, every choice to His good pleasure. Knowing that where He leads, there is peace and victory in all areas of life.
Pastor Randy
Monday, July 9, 2012
Bolivia Mission Trip
It's now been exactly one week since our mission team returned from Santa Cruz, Bolivia. I hesitated to blog about the trip right after we got home, just so everything that happened could sink in a little. I'm not going to write about a lot of the details of the trip. If you want to know more details, feel free to ask me personally. Rather, I'm going to hit a few highlights and talk about how I saw God working in Santa Cruz and what He's shown me.
What a great trip! This was my first overseas missions trip. I've traveled overseas before on business, and I've been on other mission trips in the US as well. So this one was very special to me. First, I am greatly thankful for all those who prayed and supported our team on this trip. Especially our church family at Wakefield. Thank you for your encouragement and financial support. I'm also thankful to our church staff for allowing me to be the team leader for this trip.
God is definitely working in Santa Cruz. Our work on the trip included time with middle school & high school students, university students, and residents in a local community where a church has been planted. We had the chance to go into a school to work and play with students in middle school and high school, showing them a video, asking them questions, teaching them a little English, playing basketball & volleyball with them, and sharing Jesus Christ in word and action. We also spent a lot of time with some university students who are studying English. We spent time helping them with English, and they helped translate for us when we spent time in the community. We also used the time to share about Christ and the Bible in many different ways. In addition, we worked with the church plant to share the Gospel with people in the community by using door-to-door evangelism and showing the Jesus film several times. Plus we got to experience a lot of the Bolivia culture and food, maybe too much of the food! But we had a great time and enjoyed being involved in God's work there.
I was so thankful for all the doors that God opened for us while in Bolivia. It was great to see how receptive the people in the community were to the Gospel, even being willing to stop what they were doing to talk to us or come see the film. The church there was alive and the people were willing to sacrifice of themselves and their possessions so Christ would be known. Their hospitality towards our team was overwhelming the entire week. To see some of the poverty around them, and then see them give so much to us, their very best in most cases, was humbling. It was an experience I will never forget. One family from the church opened his home repeatedly for meetings there. We invited people from the community to come and hear God's word proclaimed on several occasions. We were also pleased to see many Bolivians come to Christ that week. I lost count of how many there were. Our God is great!
Now that I'm home, I'm more burdened than ever about my own community. God calls us to go wherever He leads us, which includes the world, but also this includes the neighborhoods right out out front door. I've been challenged to reach out to my own neighbors more proactively with the Gospel. I've also been renewed in showing hospitality to others, being willing to give everything I have and everything I am to God's work, wherever He calls me to serve. Biblical stewardship is the responsibility of all believers. I want to be fully obedient to God in this area, being willing to give everything for His work and His glory. I own nothing - it's all His. Even my very life.
I pray God will give me another opportunity to visit Santa Cruz, if He desires. But I cannot wait for that opportunity to put into practice what He has already shown me. He has blessed me greatly, all for His purpose for me and for the kingdom work He desires me to join Him in.
Pastor Randy
What a great trip! This was my first overseas missions trip. I've traveled overseas before on business, and I've been on other mission trips in the US as well. So this one was very special to me. First, I am greatly thankful for all those who prayed and supported our team on this trip. Especially our church family at Wakefield. Thank you for your encouragement and financial support. I'm also thankful to our church staff for allowing me to be the team leader for this trip.
God is definitely working in Santa Cruz. Our work on the trip included time with middle school & high school students, university students, and residents in a local community where a church has been planted. We had the chance to go into a school to work and play with students in middle school and high school, showing them a video, asking them questions, teaching them a little English, playing basketball & volleyball with them, and sharing Jesus Christ in word and action. We also spent a lot of time with some university students who are studying English. We spent time helping them with English, and they helped translate for us when we spent time in the community. We also used the time to share about Christ and the Bible in many different ways. In addition, we worked with the church plant to share the Gospel with people in the community by using door-to-door evangelism and showing the Jesus film several times. Plus we got to experience a lot of the Bolivia culture and food, maybe too much of the food! But we had a great time and enjoyed being involved in God's work there.
I was so thankful for all the doors that God opened for us while in Bolivia. It was great to see how receptive the people in the community were to the Gospel, even being willing to stop what they were doing to talk to us or come see the film. The church there was alive and the people were willing to sacrifice of themselves and their possessions so Christ would be known. Their hospitality towards our team was overwhelming the entire week. To see some of the poverty around them, and then see them give so much to us, their very best in most cases, was humbling. It was an experience I will never forget. One family from the church opened his home repeatedly for meetings there. We invited people from the community to come and hear God's word proclaimed on several occasions. We were also pleased to see many Bolivians come to Christ that week. I lost count of how many there were. Our God is great!
Now that I'm home, I'm more burdened than ever about my own community. God calls us to go wherever He leads us, which includes the world, but also this includes the neighborhoods right out out front door. I've been challenged to reach out to my own neighbors more proactively with the Gospel. I've also been renewed in showing hospitality to others, being willing to give everything I have and everything I am to God's work, wherever He calls me to serve. Biblical stewardship is the responsibility of all believers. I want to be fully obedient to God in this area, being willing to give everything for His work and His glory. I own nothing - it's all His. Even my very life.
I pray God will give me another opportunity to visit Santa Cruz, if He desires. But I cannot wait for that opportunity to put into practice what He has already shown me. He has blessed me greatly, all for His purpose for me and for the kingdom work He desires me to join Him in.
Pastor Randy
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)