A practical view . . .

He is Here! A Celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ

noreply@blogger.com (Doug) — Fri, 19 Dec 2014 04:13:00 +0000

The beauty of Christmas is so well expressed in music. This year, my son Matthew performed with the Concert Band from Annapolis Area Christian School Middle School in one of the most beautiful school musical presentations I've had the privilege of attending. A few snippets from the music of the evening are included below. Enjoy!

Doug

Post by Douglas Arnold.

...love extravagantly...

noreply@blogger.com (Doug) — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 17:00:00 +0000

We don’t yet see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won’t be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We’ll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!

But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love. 1 Corinthians 13:12-13 The Message

The Apostle Paul charged the church in Corinth with three things on life's journey:

Trust steadily in God,
Hope unswervingly, and
Love extravagantly.

As I contemplate my theme, my desires, and my goals, my heart is challenged by these three concepts: Trust, Hope and Love.

I love the beauty of the words . . . LOVE EXTRAVAGANTLY.

The richness, the beautify, the impossibility of doing so within myself piques my desire to rise to the challenge issued by Paul.

Joy in baptism...

noreply@blogger.com (Doug) — Sat, 26 Apr 2014 22:53:00 +0000

Easter was a special day for our family. It was the day Matthew got baptized. Here is what I shared on Facebook about this special time:

Happy Easter!
Today was not as we planned.

Sherri was home with pneumonia so I was at Bay Area Community Church with both boys. We attended the 8:00 am service to make room for the many people expected for the later services. As we sat in the service, Caleb was mesmerized by the story of Jesus' love for us. Such joy! What an amazing experience celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus!

For the 9:30 service, Sherri and I had volunteered to help with the kindergarten class so I was helping out there. Matthew decided to sit in the church for next service. As I was finishing up with the kindergarten boys, I suddenly get called to head to the service because Matthew was getting baptized! Just like Matthew, an unplanned decision to jump in feet first! Amazing joy as Matthew publicly shared his decision to follow Jesus! Greg St Cyr asked Matthew where his mom and dad were. Since I cry at funerals, weddings and baptisms, Matthew saved me a few public tears.

Next I get a text from Sherri who was watching the service from home: "Matthew just got baptized!!!!!!!!!!"

Not your ordinary Easter! God has blessed us to know His mercy, grace, love, joy and peace. Never a dull moment on life's journey.

As I contemplate all of this, I'm reminded that God is already there. He knows our comings and goings. He knows the blessings and joys. He is already wherever we are planned and unplanned. The happy moments and sad moments are in His hands.

Post by Bay Area Community Church.

Playlist: Crave

noreply@blogger.com (Doug) — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 20:41:00 +0000

What are you listening to? Here are some songs from my current playlist with the song and artist:

Crave, For King & Country
You Are, Jason Castro
What Love Really Means, JJ Heller
Fear, OneRepublic
Oh My Stars, Andrew Belle
Light It Up, For King & Country
Firework, Chris Sligh
The World You Want, Switchfoot
Sane, For King & Country
Wait for a Miracle, Jason Castro
Christmas Lights, Coldplay
Made For You, OneRepublic
Pushing on a Pull Door, For King & Country
Corner, Alie Moss
Awake My Soul, Mumford & Sons
Waking Up, OneRepublic
Missing, For King & Country
You Make My Happy, Lindsey Ray
Missing Persons 1 & 2, OneRepublic
Middle of Your Heart, For King & Country
Lullaby, OneRepublic
It's Time, Imagine Dragons

Yes, there is a Christmas song in the list. It just seems to fit.