A Bank Hold Up

Saturday. Raining. I’m at the bank. Drive-thru. As is typical, every line except the one I’m waiting in is moving steadily. I begin getting frustrated when two cars that had arrived after me made it through before I did.

Finally, I get to the front and take care of my business. As I reach out to replace the little canister that shoots back and forth, the slippery conditions get me and it falls from my grip to the ground. I open my door only slightly (because the canister shooter is so close)—glancing down, hoping the canister will be close enough where I can just snatch it from my seat. It’s no where to be seen. At this point the cars behind me are probably thinking the same ugly thoughts I was thinking in the first paragraph.

So I manage to squeeze out between my door and the canister shooter. I take a few steps over and look down. I STILL cannot see the canister. I kneel down and there it is—in the very middle of the lane. At this point (right on cue), the Bank-Teller-Barbie comes through the speaker.

“Can you get it?” she asks ever so cheerfully.

“Yes, I can get it!” I snapped back.

So, in all of my shame, I lay down on my stomach on the wet, oily pavement and crawl under my Buggy to retrieve the blasted canister. As I emerge and stand back up, I slam the canister into the shooter (I’m pretty upset at this point—mainly from embarrassment). Bank-Teller-Barbie comes back with a kind, “Thank you.” I don’t think I responded.

And I’m so mad and in a hurry that I get stuck as I climb back into the Buggy (at this point the people behind me had to at least chuckle). Someone will probably enjoy watching that tape. Grr. I don’t want to talk about it anymore.

On the brighter side, at least I was making a deposit!

Things You Shouldn’t Find in the Lost and Found

The Lost and Found can be an interesting place to spend time. I always find the most shocking items in the Lost and Found. For instance, today I found someone’s walker. Now tell me—how does one leave behind his/her walker? How did this person leave the building? I might as well have found a wheel chair. Baffling.

Car keys are similar. How did this person get home? I don’t get it. And don’t get me started on clothing items that are left behind. And of course, in churches, the Lost and Found might as well be labeled the Library of Bible Translations. Every translation and print style you could imagine is in there. I just went and looked in our lost and found. I discovered a steam iron and a large assortment of casserole dishes. The next time I don't have the right size pan I know where to look!

What about you? What are some things you wouldn’t expect to find in the Lost and Found?

Lyrics for Such a Time as This

During times such as this, a song I once heard Sandi Patty sing always comes to mind. Here are the lyrics—I hope this can be a prayer for all of us today.


Cleanse me Lord
of all my silly, sad charades.
How I want to be
all and only yours.
Take away the clutter
in my life everyday,
and make me like a child at play.

Give me joy.
I love to laugh and cry with you.
You’ve become a friend
with me all the time.
Help me to be patient
as I watch and as I pray;
growing in your love each day.
Lord, show me the way!

‘Cause when the time comes,
I want Him to know me.
When the time comes,
I want to be there.
And when that time comes,
I want to be ready,
when my Jesus comes to take me,
when my Jesus comes to take me,
take me home.

Update for Thursday Afternoon

Friends,

Amara Childers, the daughter of ACU Bible professor Dr. Jeff Childers, suffered a broken leg and a ruptured spleen as a result of the accident and she has been in the hosptial in Abilene all week. The surgery to repair her leg was quite difficult, but she seems to be recovering well. Since then, doctors have been monitoring her spleen to determine whether or not it needs to be removed. Last I heard, they were beginning to think it would need to be removed after all. Please keep the Childer's family in your prayers.

I also heard that the funeral went very well yesterday afternoon. There were more than 2,000 people jammed into Highland's Auditorium. As a part of the service, Jim Hinkle (Highland Youth Minister) read a list of all the churches who had called his office to give prayer support. The list consisted of close to 200 names/locations! I heard it was a very powerful moment for everyone.

Thank you for continuing to pray for the Highland Family.

Update for Thursday

See Val's blog for an update on Chris Cope.

www.vdurrington.blogspot.com

Update for Tuesday Morning

Chris Cope is off the ventilator, though he still has a chest tube. Chris gave the doctors a thumbs up last night. He is expected to be off the chest tube later today.

Austin Lemmons is off the ventilator and chest tube. He is expected to be released from ICU to a regular room today or tomorrow.

Amara Childers is recovering (in Abilene) from a difficult leg surgery. She also suffered a ruptured spleen. They are monitoring her closely to determine whether or not the spleen needs to be removed.

Julie Folwell is having surgery on her neck tomorrow (Wednesday)—please pray for her.

Others are reported to be improving as well.

Please see http://www.vdurrington.blogspot.com/ for future updates.

Please Pray for Highland (Abilene) Families

Friends,

The Highland Church in Abilene has experienced a tragedy. On Sunday at 3pm, a suburban of youth kids flipped. One boy was killed, others are still in the hospital. Two of those in the hospital are Austin Lemmons (son of Thom and Cheryl) and Chris Cope (son of Mike and Diane, brother of Matt (and Matt's wife Jenna)). They are both stable and showing signs of improvement today.

Please join in praying for all of these families. Please refer to Val Durrington's blog (link posted to the right) for other details.

A Retreat from Retreats

Well, I'm off this weekend to lead worship for our Men's Ministry Retreat at a State Park in Mississippi. I'm thinking it will be nice soon to have a "retreat" from retreats! They're a lot of work! But they are sacred times. I'm exctied about what the Lord will do this weekend.

Speaking of this weekend, I would like to wish Melanie McRay a Happy Birthday on Sunday! Melanie is a Children's Minister in Nashville. She started her ministry at exact same time I began mine here in Memphis. Melanie is a great friend who is very gifted. She and I co-directed the Senior Class Sing Song last year. And yes, we won.

Happy Weekend, everyone!

A Quote

“Music is God’s gift to man, the only art of heaven given to earth, the only art of earth we take to heaven.”

--Walter Savage Landor

I'm not sure what I was saying here, but Charles sure doesn't seem interested!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pictures from the Praise Team Retreat! 

Cousins (Carly, Jason, Bradyn), Kami, and I at Christmas. 

Kami and I at Christmas. 

Grateful for a Moment of Peace

Wow! This weekend has been a real blessing. The Lord has answered our prayers for the Praise Team Retreat. Thanks to those of you who were mindful / prayerful for us. As a team, we explored some new depths of worship--such a tremendous blessing. We also had great times of discussion that made me VERY grateful for the Lord leading me to Highland Street. The people who lead worship with me are just wonderful and I love them.

This morning at Highland Street was awesome. I had anticipated an energetic service, and I was right! I continue to pray that God will take us to deeper places of worship. But I'm so thankful that He is answering this prayer.

I'll post some pictures tomorrow.

A Quote

"There is no higher calling than leading people into their ultimate purpose and destiny in life - worship!"

--Tommy Walker

1 Corinthians

This week is full. We’re having our first Praise Team Retreat this weekend—it’s going to be a blast! I’m really excited about it. I would appreciate your prayers for our time together Friday and Saturday.

Encouragement for today:
“He [God] will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.” (I Corinthians 1:8-9)

Jolly Tuesday!

Michelle Edgerson and Ryan Porche performing at Holiday Follies. December 19th, 2004.