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It Could Be Me

on January 14, 2012 in Video

Spent part of the day helping to prepare and serve food for over 60 people at the York Rescue Mission with York Young Professionals. While dishing out some delicious Shepherd’s Pie, I was reminded of this simple thought that it could be me. I am truly blessed, and it wouldn’t take much to lose it all. It could be me on the other side of the serving line, but likewise part of the solution could be me, could be you.

The song paraphrases James 2:17 this way: ‎”Faith amounts to nothing when we just pray prayers but never move to care.” – James 2:17 (paraphrased). Love others as yourself. Go and do likewise!

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I’m On A Boat Video – Bahamas Cruise 2010

on December 26, 2011 in Personal

It was September of 2010, and my parents, sister, and I were on our way to the Bahamas on a 3-day cruise. We had never been on a cruise before and were very excited. We never really took such vacations before, but this one just came together as if God had planned it for us. As it turns out, it was incredibly significant and perhaps the most memorable and fun times I’ve had, at least with my sister, Alicia. It became the last vacation the four of us would ever take as a family. But it was better than we could have ever imagined and left us with some incredible memories.

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Quote

Christmas Is For Those Who Hate It Most

on December 22, 2011 in Quote

We have it sunk deep into our collective cultural consciousness that Christmas is for the happy people...But this is backwards. Christmas—the great story of the incarnation of the Rescuer—is for everyone, especially those who need a rescue. Jesus was born as a baby to know the pain and sympathize with our weaknesses. Jesus was made to be like us so that in his resurrection we can be made like him; free from the fear of death and the pain of loss. Christmas is really about the gospel of grace for sinners. Because of all that Christ has done on the cross, the manger becomes the most hopeful place in a universe darkened with hopelessness. In the irony of all ironies, Christmas is for those who will find it the hardest to enjoy. It really is for those who hate it most.
Matt Redman

I stumbled across this article last year and even included an excerpt in that year’s Christmas music program. It makes a great point and certainly takes on a new meaning this year. Wishing everyone a joyful and safe Christmas.

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Summer & Fall 2011: The Best and Worst of Times

on December 8, 2011 in Personal

I’ve never read Charles Dickens’ “A Tale of Two Cities”, but first two opening lines taken by themselves seem to aptly describe my experience during these past Summer and Fall seasons. I had anxiously been looking looking forward to this Summer for months anticipating some great times in the warmer weather. Unfortunately, this story begins with the worst of times. As I begin to write this, it is exactly six months since a Friday afternoon when I got the phone call that would change everything. Not an hour before I had been on the phone with my mom making plans for the weekend. You see, my parents, sister, and myself were all getting new bikes and had planned to go biking on the York Heritage Rail Trail that weekend. But sadly our plans changed. The next time I answered the phone it was my dad, and I could tell immediately from his voice that something was very wrong. Tragically, my sister, Alicia, was in a terrible car accident. And instead of enjoying a family outing, we would be planning her memorial service.

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Thanksgiving Reflection

on November 24, 2011 in Other

Thanksgiving is a happy occasion, a time to recognize the many blessings in our lives and spend time with family. For me this one is different, and I have a slightly different perspective on the holiday amid personal tragedy. I shared a little about this during the Dover community Thanksgiving service hosted at Salem UCC where I serve as Music Director. I asked my Pastor if I could include a song for special music that was a bit different, and she graciously accommodated my request. The song I chose was “Out of The Depths” by Bob Kauflin from the Sovereign Grace Music “Psalms” album which is based on Psalm 130. An unusual choice for sure, but I had my reasons which I shared in a short testimony prior to singing the song. Here is roughly what I had to say (with some improvised minor chord progressions underneath for effect of course):

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