Homeschool Handbells Play

Last weekend was the CHARA talent show. CHARA is Hilldale's homeschool association.
There was singing, and recitation of long passages of scripture (very impressive), piano playing, dancing, karate and - my favorite - the new homeschool handbell choir. Everyone did a great job.

This was a fun part. Mr. Brown is getting these two boys in place for the next part of their demonstration.

"Don't look up!" was his instructions.

Oh! Here's why!

The handbell choir did a great job. Aren't they cute? They've only been playing for a few months.

After they played I told a little about English handbells as the stage was being rearranged.

Here's a video of their playing. My video card ran out before the song did.

Wednesday the 13th

There's an old superstition about Friday the 13th being an unlucky day.

But what you may not know is that when the 13th is on a Wednesday it is a LUCKY day! How cool is that?

That's because Wednesday night choir rehearsal is the perfect middle-of-the-week type of thing to be a part of. There are friends to see and great music to sing.

And at Hilldale tonight you'll get to be one of the first ones to sing some great songs from a new book called "Let the Worshippers Arise" from WORD music.

I'll be looking for you at 6:30!

Be On the Alert

Not everything is nice on Bear Hollow.

Black Racer by the back door. These are beautiful snakes and really aren't interested in people. Every time I see one I think what a nice looking belt a black racer would make.

There are things that eat your roses.

I took this picture just before this guy's untimely death.

:-)

There are things that pinch.


Things that sting.

Things that make you itch.

The darker green leaves with the Roundup on them is the poison ivy.

Things that bite!

What? You don't see it? Here's a close up of the picture above.

It's mate dropped out of the tree when they heard me coming. I of course had my fancy new phone that I got for Cheryl's birthday with me so I snapped a picture before this one dropped down and quickly slithered away into the grasses along the creek.

So why am I sharing this here?

It reminded me of scripture that warns us to be on the alert.

1 Peter 5:
8.
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
9.
Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

I'm not trying to compare a couple of copperheads in the tree or a caterpillar munching on my roses with Satan working to devour us, but even when I am out enjoying the beauty of Bear Hollow I have to be watchful for the things that could harm me.

We have to be the same way in the world. As we are out living our lives we must be "self-controlled and alert." There are things out there that can and will harm us - physically, emotionally and spiritually. Some of the ways we keep ourselves alert are by knowing scripture, spending time in prayer, attending worship and Bible study, encouraging and being encouraged by other followers of Christ.

Much more could be said, but I know many of my readers have short attention spans, so perhaps we'll continue this in another post.

Now go out there into the world and "be on the alert!"

Sunday's Music - May 10

Happy Mothers' Day!

This is my momma and my two oldest grandbabies. I guess they aren't babies any more. They all need to move to Tennessee. Or I guess we need to move to Oklahoma (Christy and family would have to move too).

Here's our order of worship for
Sunday, May 10, 2009 – Mother’s Day

Parent/Child Dedication

O God Our Help in Ages Past

Prayer – Bro. Lyndel Littleton

Choir anthem – I Will Rise
Solo – Brenda Radford

Welcome – Dr. Larry D. Robertson

Welcome song – Lord, Reign in Me

Children’s sermon – Bro. Tim Muñoz

In Christ Alone
My Hope

Special Music – Ramona Ambrose

Message – Dr. Larry D. Robertson

Invitation – Have Thine Own Way, Lord

Offertory – Mary Beth Mathews

Baptism – (1) 10:30

Announcements & Benediction

Beautiful Bear Hollow

I've tried three different ways to start this post. None of them worked.

I'll let this collage of what I saw in my yard today speak for itself and then let scripture speak for itself. I think sometimes we mess all of that up when we try to do the explaining.


Here is the Apostle Paul describing our Lord Jesus Christ. You should really read the entire chapter,

(it's incredible) Read This Chapter

These verses describe His roll in creation.

Colossians 1:16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

The Family Art Project - The Rest of the Pictures

This pictures had many changes made to it as the morning went along. It turned out great!


I blogged about Johnny earlier http://hilldaleworship.blogspot.com/2009/03/artist-is-born-johnny.html He had a WONDERFUL time painting.


My lovely wife and I had our painting turn out a lot different than it started. I think the final painting is really cool. Cheryl doesn't really like it. Hahaha.

Names and hand prints were poplar in several of the family paintings. The hand prints give them a very personal touch.

This one is really great. The colors on this one - actually, on all of them - were brighter in person. But you can still see how great all of them were.

Maybe the next time we do one of these events you'll sign up!

The Family Art Project - Pictures part 2

More pictures from "The Family Art Project."

The Tates made a big "T" with their handprints.


I lost track of how many times this picture changed. You can see how the background color was blue at one time.



The Munoz family wanted something that represented their family so they made a big cross and ten each member of the family painted one of the squares around the cross with things they like.