A Warm Bed and a Hot Shower

Since we first became aware of the radical Muslim army called ISIS, and the obscene destruction of human life that they have become known for, I have joined many Christians around the world to pray for Christians, and other non-Muslims who have become their victims. The Islamic State does nothing to hide its targeting of all non-Muslims. In fact, from their videotaped be-headings to their bombing of religious sites, ISIS fighters have publicly displayed their gruesome acts. Mark Arabo, national spokesman for "Ending Genocide in Iraq," spoke with Sean Hannity this week about the Christian crisis in Iraq. Arabo claims hundreds of Christians are dying every day and 40,000 have been killed this year. We've all read accounts of people having to flee their homes with just what they can carry. Many were trapped on a mountain top for weeks without food, water, shelter, or other life necessities. 

I find myself trying to pray, but not having enough words to describe how badly I feel about what is going on. I've caught myself thinking, "they are actually better off because they are in God's presence, in the place that has been prepared for them." That is just a cop-out for my puny attempts to pray effectively for these precious members of the body of Christ. I cannot imagine the horror of parents watching their children being beheaded in front of them, because the children will not renounce Christ and agree to become Muslims. I have always thought that I would do anything I possibly could, including giving my life, to protect my wife, and my children. For Christians in Iraq, their "thinking" has become reality.

The other night as I lay in my comfortable, warm bed, I was again praying for these people. Knowing full well that survivors who have fled are living in miserable conditions. Here I was praying for them from the comfort of my bed. The next morning, again they were on my mind as my shower water warmed up to a comfortable temperature and I enjoyed a hot shower before heading off to my office. I feel guilty for the contentedness I feel right now. God's blessing is very real and evident to me. And yet these horrible things are happening to people that I love, but don't know. I love them because we are loved immeasurable by the God of the universe. We are the family of the only true God and creator of all. If there is an overarching idea here, it must be that regardless of our standing in Christ, life is not fair. Why should I enjoy my warm bed at night, and a hot shower in the morning, while thousands of Christians are fleeing for their lives and living in the poorest of conditions? These are hard questions, without good answers. I am just so thankful that I have never had to endure this kind of cruel and hideous treatment. One day it won't matter, Christians that have lived throughout the ages will surround the throne of God and proclaim Him as I AM. In the meantime, I'll keep praying for Christians in Iraq, and other parts of the world, who are running for their lives. God, please give me good words to pray.

Blessed, Blessed, Blessed...

During my five hour drive home last night from Chicago to Carlinville, IL, I had a Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir marathon. One of my iTunes playlists contains almost every recording the Tab has ever recorded. As I listened to song after song, it brought back some great memories of singing some of these wonderful songs with choirs that I have directed over the years. And it made me wonder about how the repertoire might have changed if the Brooklyn Tab choir had been recording music a lot earlier. For instance, one of the largest choirs I directed was in Albany, Oregon in the mid 80s. That choir grew and grew until I was buying 90+ copies of music for everyone. We kept adding extensions and chairs to our choir loft. We sang some wonderful music, but I wonder what Total Praise might have sounded like from this great choir. At Heritage Village Church in Ft. Mill, South Carolina, I still remember the day we ordered 120 choir robes. That choir had the opportunity to sing on television and between our Sunday music and special productions, we sang some great music. I wonder, though, what they could have done with Father We Adore Thee or Days of Elijah.

It was at Abundant Life Christian Center in the Denver area when we first started singing Brooklyn Tab music. I will never forget LR singing the solo on I Bowed On My Knees and Cried Holy. We sang this song at a district service one year and the glory of God descended on that service. At First Assembly in Grand Junction, Colorado (now Victory Life Church), we loved Brooklyn Tab music. It really fit the personality of the church. It was an incredible experience to hear KR sing the solo on Rain On Us. If I could have, I would have set the DC player in our sound booth to "repeat" and sing the song until someone found the stop button. One of the choirs I directed had several wonderful vocalists in it. This Oklahoma City church had never done any "from the heart" music before, and our first presentations of Brooklyn Tab and similar music really changed the way this church appreciated the ministry of the choir, and the worship experience that it ushered in. Kristy Starling, before she was married, was one of our soloists and a member of the choir. Wow...

The finest combination of choir and orchestra that I was blessed to work with was at West County Assembly of God in the St. Louis area. The opportunity to present a lot of our music "live" was tremendous. On the weekend that we were there to interview, look at the church, and meet with leaders, I conducted Total Praise. Almost nine years later, on our final Sunday, I chose Total Praise again. Another one of our favorites was Thou, O Lord. In reality, there were too many to list. One of the highest moments at this church, however, was one Christmas when we performed Josh Grobin's version of Silent Night. Our son, Jason, did the orchestration for it and CY sang the solo. The combination of the orchestra, a classic carol, an exquisite tenor solo and the choir, all combined for a memorable experience I will never forget.

As I got close to home, had listened to many songs, and had traveled down memory lane, I realized again how blessed I have been. In all of the churches that Kathy and I served, there were many times that I played the accompaniment, and she would conduct the choir. We were a seamless team. Our lives have changed a lot in the last three years. I haven't conducted a choir or led worship consistently since June of 2011. A few days ago I celebrated a milestone birthday, and it probably had something to do with my trip down memory lane last night. The bottom line, however, is that musically, I had a great run, with some great music, and even greater people. I have been blessed, blessed, blessed...