Breathing new life into old songs

A quirky take on a forgotten favorite.

Although my wife is a classically trained singer with a degree in performance, sometimes it can be hard for us to figure out from the notes in a hymnal or chord chart how to sing a particular "psalm, hymn, or spiritual song."

Especially when these songs are largely forgotten. And especially when you only have a living room full of voices to mask the fact that none of you really know how to sing them!

Recently, we have been enthralled by the lesser-known hymns of Charles Wesley (no surprise, given my theological leanings). A hymnal I bought for a couple of bucks as Lillenas Publishing Co. was going under provided much inspiration but many questions on how to best interpret the bar notes on its pages.

Chicken and cake ... and God's grace

If you don't recognize this scene, you're not living the church life!

One of the tell-tale signs of a functioning house church is eating. It only makes sense that if you're having people you love over for an activity that will surely run during (or up to) a meal time -- and within feet of a well-stocked kitchen -- that you would want to combine culinary talents and eat together.

Is there anything more New Testament than food? Breaking bread from house to house? The Love Feast? Even the Lord's Supper?

So much of the life of the church is devoted to eating. Even institutional churches, where it's a central element to Christian fellowship. Unfortunately, this is a trend that seems to be waning.

Taking Pastor Appreciation Day to the next level

In honor of Pastor Appreciation Sunday, we house church-types would like to expand the the occasion to make it bigger and better than ever before! Now we can wish everyone a Happy ...

   Pastor Appreciation Day
   Server Appreciation Day
   Teacher Appreciation Day
   Exhorter Appreciation Day
   Giver Appreciation Day
   Administrator Appreciation Day
   Healer Appreciation Day
   Helper Appreciation Day
   Tongues Speaker Appreciation Day
   Tongues Interpreter Appreciation Day
   Preacher Appreciation Day
   Prophet Appreciation Day
   Elder Appreciation Day
   Deacon Appreciation Day
   Presbyter Appreciation Day
   Singer Appreciation Day

#BetterTogether

(In all seriousness: If you bear the burden of preparing several lessons per week, evangelizing the lost, administering finances, counseling the hurting, overseeing worship programs, and coordinating compassionate ministries, we hope your congregation gives you the respect you deserve for taking on all that work yourself. We also believe that respect comes from your flock using their God-given gifts to assist the same work you're doing to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to your community and worldwide. Take some of that load off your shoulders, for crying out loud! One Sunday and a pancake breakfast ain't gonna do it.)

Romans 12:6-8; I Corinthians 12:8-10, 28; Ephesians 4:11; I Timothy 3; Titus 3; I Peter 4:11 (did we miss one? Leave a reply in the comments below).

'If they ... have not love, do not listen ...'

It was actually Tertius, but ok.  ("Saint Paul Writing His Epistles" by Valentin de Boulogne, c. 1820.)

There's an old saying often attributed to John Wesley (bonus points if anyone can find the actual quote):

"And even if they come to you with sound teaching and persuasive words, and have not love, do not listen, do not listen, do not listen!"

In other words, if even the best preacher, teacher, or evangelist makes his case persuasively and consistently, and provides chapter and verse for all his claims, yet fails to exhibit any care for those around him (discounting any personality quirks, genuine shyness, rushed schedules, etc.) then it's best to take what they have to say with a grain of salt (I John 2:15). If you don't understand what it means to love, then "the greatest of these" (I Cor. 13:13) is missing from even the most convincing message of faith and hope.