Hezekiah, King of Judah and the people kept the Passover for two weeks, as recorded in 2 Chronicles 30:22 3 31:1.  They worshipped God, made confession to the Lord, praised Him in song with “loud instruments” (it actually says loud….I like that part)  and then….the people went together and tore down all the idols and high places in the land.

The people united to purge their land of all that was wicked and idolatrous.  When we worship God….it shouldn’t stop at the praise.  It should remind us that our lives, our family, our community is in constant need of renewal.  When the Israelites tore down the high places, it wasn’t just a small, mundane thing.  It was a radical removal of something impure…the high places had become a part of the community and “everyday” life.  They were socially “acceptable”.

So, I ask the question to you and to myself….what high places and idols are still in my life that I have not torn down yet?  What part of my life needs renewal and cleansing?  Do my neighbors know that they need the blood of Jesus to be clean and renewed?  Have I worked hard to remind those around me that Jesus is the Way the Truth and the Life?

In his letter, Paul tells the Philippian church that in that last day everyone of us will confess that Jesus is Lord and bow to Him.  Whether we have confessed His name in this life or not….in the next life we will.  Last Thursday, our small group was able to witness Stephanie and Mike Hunt confess Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  Stephanie was then baptized into the Lord.  Mike was baptized as a teenager.  In our worship service on Sunday, Mike and Stephanie made their confession of faith again in front of the assembly.  What a joy it was to worship together, confess Jesus and rejoice with the Hunt family in their commitment to the Lord!!

Sunday was awesome!! What a blessing it was to witness Steven Carpenter accept Jesus as Lord in baptism on Sunday. Steven and Gail are a wonderful couple filled with joy. We couldn’t have ended our time of worship together any better than to witness Steven’s decision.

It was also good to see and hear people singing praises to God. I love to hear people saying amen and applauding after songs….giving God praise…being thankful and rejoicing. In the praise team’s time of devotion together before service…Donnie read from Psalm 5. Here is verse 11…

“Let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them. Let those also who love Your name be joyful in You.”

Thanks Donnie for drawing our attention to these powerful words from the Psalmist!

This is my first official blog! Yeah!!!

I will soon learn how to post our chord charts and mp3′s on this blog for the weeks service. When you log on you will be able to download them in order to practice throughout the week.

Thanks to all who served last week. Jim, you played with extra passion this week during “It Is Well” and “Cry Out to Jesus”.

In the future I plan on posting continuing thoughts about the previous service so we can continue to meditate on the Truth we sang in our gathering.

Continue to reflect on the words from “At the Cross” , “O Lord you’ve searched me, you know my ways. Even when I fail you, I know you love me.” This song admits our failures but at the same time rejoices in the atoning work of Jesus Christ.

This is the place that you can get all the Chord charts and music that you’ll need for Sunday’s!