Where Corn Don’t Grow

I’m sitting here in ANewThing (yep, the coffee house and bookstore), sipping coffee and listening to a song entitled “Where Corn Don’t Grow”, it speaks to the heart of living in the country and being friendly to those we come in contact with, I think that might be the spirit of the evening.

It’s a couple days past Thanksgiving as I write this, I spent Thursday in Nashville at the home of a good friend, who in turn invited other good friends for Thanksgiving, the table was full, the bounty plentiful, the conversation rich.

Friday was a second Thanksgiving at the home of Lynn and JoAnn Ray, my neighbors and friends.  Their Thanksgiving was delayed a day waiting for the arrival of her daughter Summer and son-in-law Nathan, who drove in from Washington, DC.

The table was full, the atmosphere informal, filled with love and laughter from all their children, Summer, Josh, Abby and Rachael.

Tonight we’re at the bookstore/coffeehouse/music venue and as I write this Ted and Deb (don’t know their last names) are playing, their voices and lyrics float the room captivating everyone present.  If music touches the soul (and of course it does) then they are truly gifted with the spirit of music and sharing.

It’s rumored that the Ray family (which numbers quite a few tonight) will be sharing their gifts of music and song a bit later, I’ll have to drop back in with a comment if they do.

For me, gotta warm up my coffee and grab another cookie… ahh.. the holidays.

Thanksgiving

I’ve always wanted to be a loving, generous, compassionate person.  There is one quality, or attitude that is basic to this way of life.  It’s that attitude of gratitude.  If I’m being thankful, there is little room for selfishness, complaining, and worry.  The Bible says that clean and dirty water don’t flow from the same place; so while I’m giving thanks to the Great Creator of Life, I am not able to curse God, His Creation, or whatever life has dealt me on a given day.

However, even on this very day, I’ve had more than a few minutes of ungratefullness.  Reflecting on this makes me even more thankful.  Thankful for God’s grace.   I can run to Him, throwing myself at His Mercy. Thanks be to Jesus, who has bridged the gulf between the perfect God and the imperfect ungrateful Man, so I can run to Him and rest in His arms.  The Bible says He LAVISHES His love on us – does that ever make me thankful!  I just need to rest and receive.   That may be a little hard for some of us who feel that we must DO.  But we do nothing to earn His love.  One of our responses to His love is to do good, to serve.  Not to earn, His love or anything else, but to express our gratitude.   Giving thanks – a way of life.

Friday and Sat – Nov. 21 and 22

Friday night Alex and Jamie and friends (along with Gateway’s worship leader Valarie) will be back for a night of worship, fellowship, and food,food,food.   They sounded really great at practice tonight!
Come back Saturday at 7pm for some fun ryhthm and praise by X-ALT – these musicians from Nashville have a super time exalting Him, and you will too!

Don’t miss the show this Saturday night!

Singer/songwriter Mark Elliot will open for Kim McLean at 7pm, November 15th.  Radio personality Devon O’Day joins them here this weekend.  Kim has songs recorded by the Judds, Trisha Yearwood, and Tim Mcgraw to name a few.  But let’s hear Kim’s own voice and guitar – I’ve heard only rave reviews. People love her – Join us for an enjoyable evening.   No admission charge.

I am reading a new book by Steve Brown

Do you know Steve Brown? I just love him – used to hear him on Key Life. So honest, funny, non-religious. He’s so wise and well-read, but writes just like I remember him talking on the radio. Anyone can understand what he’s saying. Very approachable, like His God. His new book on prayer is called APPROACHING GOD. And as he talks and teaches, sprinkling stories of other’s prayer experiences, you realize how good God really is and how much He wants you to approach Him. This is one non-fiction book that I will finish, not only because I want to be able to talk to my heavenly Father better, but because Steve Brown’s writing is so engaging. I might even use the little study guide he included in the back of the book.

I am remembering Brown’s words, “Unbelievers don’t pray because they are afraid that God might be there. Believers don’t pray because they are afraid He might not be.” His talk in the first part of this book helps people get past those hesitations and hang-ups about prayer.

You might want to visit Steve Brown’s www.stevebrownetc.com and www.keylife.org. Key Life’s ministry is “commintted to getting people Home with radical freedom, infectious joy, and surprizing faithfullness.”

Homeschool panel – Monday November 10th

Come experience an insightful and informative exchange as a small, but varied group of teens share their day to day homeschool.  This will be a great time to support the teens stepping into the spotlight; and families will learn from each other and be able to plan better in the future.

As usual, fellowship and food will be shared – 2:30 in the back of the bookstore – coffee house/performance stage area.     Call Jo Ann (792-9651) or Beth (876-8979) for more info.