Closer

The theme for the 10th annual Zoe Conference was Closer. How to draw closer to our Father in a world of busyness and turmoil. The following song (Carl introduced at 4th Sunday Praise) was used as the theme for the weekend...

Closer

I am weak but You are strong
Jesus keep me from all wrong;
I'll be satisfied as long
as I walk, O Lord,
close to You

Through this world of toils and snares,
If I falter, Lord who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but You, O Lord,
none but You.

Closer,
Closer,
Closer to You.
Closer,
Closer,
Closer to You.

When my feeble life is o're,
Time for me will be no more,
Guide me to that peaceful shore.
Let it be, O Lord,
close to You.

Closer,
Closer,
Closer to You.
Closer,
Closer,
Closer to You.

Words Traditional
Randy Gill 2006

My Hope Is In You Lord

My heart is aching today for a colleague of mine that I really enjoy working with. She told me and several others that her husband left her last week for a woman 17 years younger. She found out the affair had being going on for over a year.

What do you say?

I think my eyes probably said what my heart was thinking. Tears. My eyes couldn’t holdback the emotion that I was feeling for this individual as she shared her story of a painful situation. She felt no longer wanted or loved.

I’m glad we have a God that will never leave us nor forsake us. He will always be there.

Psalm 42

"AS THE hart pants and longs for the water brooks, so I pant and long for You, O God.
My inner self thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God?

My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, Where is your God?

These things I [earnestly] remember and pour myself out within me: how I went slowly before the throng and led them in procession to the house of God [like a bandmaster before his band, timing the steps to the sound of music and the chant of song], with the voice of shouting and praise, a throng keeping festival.

Why are you cast down, O my inner self? And why should you moan over me and be disquieted within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, my Help and my God.

O my God, my life is cast down upon me [and I find the burden more than I can bear]; therefore will I [earnestly] remember You from the land of the Jordan [River] and the [summits of Mount] Hermon, from the little mountain Mizar.

[Roaring] deep calls to [roaring] deep at the thunder of Your waterspouts; all Your breakers and Your rolling waves have gone over me.

Yet the Lord will command His loving-kindness in the daytime, and in the night His song shall be with me, a prayer to the God of my life.

I will say to God my Rock, Why have You forgotten me? Why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

As with a sword [crushing] in my bones, my enemies taunt and reproach me, while they say continually to me, Where is your God?

Why are you cast down, O my inner self? And why should you moan over me and be disquieted within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, Who is the help of my countenance, and my God."

Life in Perspective

One day a father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the firm purpose of showing his son how poor people live. They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family. On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, "How was the trip?""It was great, Dad." "Did you see how poor people live?" the father asked." Oh Yeah" said the son. "So what did you learn from the trip?" asked the father. The son answered, "I saw that we have one dog and they had four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night. Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon. We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight. We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We buy our food, but they grow theirs. We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them. With this the boy's father was speechless. Then his son added, "Thanks, Dad, for showing me how poor we are."

Too many times we forget what we have and concentrate on what we don't have. What is one's person's worthless object is another's prize possession. It is all based on one's perspective.

Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for all the bounty we have, instead of worrying about wanting more.

Hymn Four (Unsung)

Rarely, I shake a spear or rattle a honed saber. I
have yet to trench the moat around my suburban home
or throw up bastions in bricks.
My patience stretches long like prairie skies.
I have turned 490 cheeks, chosen not to lob stones,
though bones do break from sticks

and words can still cut deep and crush. In the dark street
my neighbors rumble and boom, clatter and yell.
Morning looms—
no respectful cut-off for them. They hate me
as themselves, uncaring, violent. I know full well
my ire is brimming. I fume.

I wish for Your sudden wrath most nights—
one single sizzling death bolt firing down
from a cloudless
sky. Their house in ruins. All noise stopped. A sight
like a just holocaust in a quiet Kansas town.In those moments, give me sense.

Michael P. Carriger

Look Out, Here Comes the Gen-X Church

I enjoyed reading Evans blog yesterday on Gen-X and the way we do church today. It is obvious that the new generation has some very different ideas about “how to do church”. I am glad they do. If we are to meet the needs of people in the world today, we must change the way we are delivering the message to a generation that cares less about structure and tradition and are more concerned about small groups, informal fellowships, relationship development and the truth of God’s Word.

This generation of 18-35 year-olds meets in coffee shops, warehouses, fast food restaurants, industrial complexes, parks and other convenient places. Church buildings are not one of the most favorite places for Gen-X’ers to meet. It’s a turn off to the majority of Gen-X individuals seeking Christ. Most of them are not associated with denominations because they feel that traditional churches don't have much to offer.

Generation X is the largest the world has ever seen, with a population of approximately 2 billion, including 80 million in the United States. "The young people of today, in 10 years or less, will be the society of the nations. That's why it’s so important to look at current ministry design and implement new outreach strategies that will highlight this groups strengths and needs.

What will we do at Central to help the Gen-X group feel like they are a part of the body?

Everybody Needs Jesus

A patron of our community visited with me last week about the random school shootings across the United States. She has concerns about the troubles of society. How can a man after twenty years of anger and hostility decide to take out all his frustrations on innocent little girls by shooting them one by one in the head?

Evan talked a few weeks ago about that aspect of inner peace that can only be found in Christ.

Would that individual that decided to shoot the Amish girls acted any different if Christ was that inner peace in his life? Would that man that shot and sexually assaulted the girls in Colorado acted differently if he had enjoyed living a Christian life? Would the boy have shot the principal in Wisconsin if he had been active in a youth group with other Christian young people?

I would say we wouldn’t be discussing these evil acts if they would have found Jesus.

We cannot keep our schools 100% safe. We can’t make our shopping malls, airplanes, and skyscrapers 100% safe in a world that has been impacted by Satan and worldly lusts and desires.

All we can do is keep preaching the Good News about Jesus and the true peace He offers all those that accept Him as Lord of their lives.

Order of Worship (October 22)

Order of Worship
Sunday, October 22, 2006

Announcements

Welcome

Call to Worship

Leader: Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belongs wisdom and might.
All: He changes times and seasons, he removes kings and sets up kings;
Leader: He gives wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to those with understanding;
All: He reveals deep and mysterious things;
Leader: He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.
All: To you, O God, we give thanks and praise.
Leader: Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever.


27 Blessed Be Your Name

72 Blessed Be the Lord God Almighty

24 Blessed Be the Name of the Lord (twice)

39 Awesome Power

Prayer

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23-25

“For I received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which he was betrayed took bread; 24and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, This is my body, which is for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25In like manner also the cup, after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood: this do, as often as ye drink it, in remembrance of me”

335 In Memory of the Savior’s Love

366 By Christ Redeemed

Communion

Contribution

781 Thank You, Lord (During Contribution)

Dismiss 2x2 Class

Lord Take Control Medley
789 Father
790 Lord Take Control
791 On Bended Knee

Message: Evan Burdan

Invitation: 792 My Eyes Are Dry (twice)

Closing Announcements

Closing Prayer

Call to Worship

As we enter into worship, put away the pressures of the world that ask us to perform, to take up masks, to put on brave fronts.

Silence the voices that ask you to be perfect.

This is a community of compassion and welcoming. You do not have to do anything to earn the love contained within these walls.

You do not have to be braver, smarter, stronger, better than you are in this moment to belong here, with us.

You only have to bring the gift of your self, no matter how able; your seeking mind, no matter how busy; your heart, no matter how broken.

Bring all that you are, and all that you love, to this hour together.

Let us worship together.

Erika Hewitt

Elders/Deacons Meeting Minutes (October 17)

Central Church of Christ
Shepherds/Deacons Meeting Minutes
10-17-07

Present:
Rex Allen, Evan Burdan, Steve Shatto
Roger Hamm, Mike Farrar, Joe Todd
Gary Souder, Kurt Johnston, Steve Toillion
Bryan Phillips, Carl Wheeler

Presiding: Roger Reading Titus 2:11-15
Opening prayer: Steve T

Treasurer’s report: Ed McCoy
Average contribution for the year: 6,534.77
Total Assets: 134,276.54

Steve T. suggested we consider separating the building fund from the maintenance work that will be done to the new church property.

Bryan to check on the tax consequences of renting the acquired house for a short period of time.

Joe summarized the deacons meeting last month. They mainly talked about budget items for 2007

Steve T. gave an update on the building committees work. The cost of a dream structure at the new property is over 11 million dollars. Alternative building plans are being looked into that will cut the cost dramatically.

Roger brought up some concerns over too many people giving spontaneous announcements. All agreed that we need to have some guidelines concerning content and frequency of announcements.

Steve T suggested that we change the calendar structure in our News & Notes and bulletin to reflect one continuous calendar rather than individual group calendars.

Kurt expressed some concerns over the rush of serving communion from the back. He felt we need to take time to focus on what we doing and not hurry people who are being served.

Carl said he and the worship committee are working on an interesting service for November 1st when Evan will be out of town.

Joe has a ceiling contractor coming in a few days to fix the ceiling tile in the auditorium. Joe has been picking up people for sometime now and has agreed to expand his route to accommodate an additional family for a while.

Rex reported on the program change for the Search Program. It has been moved to Channel 43 (Fox) on Sunday mornings at 7:30am because of a scheduling problem with WIBW.
Rex brought up the fact that it would probably be better to lead more than one verse for the invitation song.

Roger gave us to summary of the direction the children’s ministry is going and some proposed physical improvements being considered for the nursery.

Gary commended Joe and Mark Cox for the recent carpet laying in one of our classrooms. Comments were made about how so many do so many things behind the scenes that most people don’t know about. Case in point the new paint work in the 2X2 room by Wayne Brown and Ken & Cherie’ Burkhart. It is now a happy room.

Anthony Drieling family needs some help moving next Thursday. 10-26-06

Sharon Easterling is going to do some library work in our building and eventually link our resources to our web site.

Closing prayer: Carl Wheeler

Hymn Three (Unsung)

Thinking about it—not often enough—I forget You.
Though vast (the vastest), always there (the most always there),
I obsess instead
on a conflated mass of endless incidents, a slew
of distractions, and me, ambivalent me, with my Sunday stare
and already dead

attention span. All of this is to say, I know better, but…
I’ve thought You up white-bearded before
robed in light,
a diadem of universes blinding, even in a glut
of dreams, these earthly eyes, and more—
Your might

and mercy mixed as a different kind of father. Still, You may
be all mist and presence. Ineffable bone-deep feeling.
Whichever way
I choose to see and say I know, You merit time. Stay
near me, God, even when I don’t stop another day’s reeling
for one simple, honest hymn today.

Michael P. Carriger

Emotional Blog

I appreciated the positive e-mail comments yesterday from the blog on emotions and worship. Sounds like many in the Church have struggled with this subject for many years.

I often think about the early Church in Acts 2. What was worship like? Just starting out. New, vibrant, fresh, reflective, uplifting, encouraging and powerful because of the resurrection of Christ? I bet they didn't make announcements! I would imagine it was very emotional.

I want a Church where we can be expressive in our worship to our Father. Where hurting people can experience the touch of the Savior. Where those that are happy and thankful can praise God for the positive things happening in their lives.


"I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord; the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together."
Psalm 34:1-3

Emotions

Being raised in the Church of Christ, I was always brought up in a Church that rarely ever showed emotion during the corporate worship time (except at youth rallies).

Although the lively, expressive worship of the ancient Hebrew culture may look outwardly different in many respects from our worship today, there is no indication in Scripture that we should check our emotions at the door when we gather to worship God.

But what should that emotional expression look like? When do our emotions cease being an evidence of a worshiping heart and start becoming a hindrance or distraction? Also, what is the line between wholehearted worship and worshiping our emotions? These are important questions for the people of God. Because we desire to do everything for God's glory, we must seek to understand how our emotions should function in corporate worship.

I am not advocating that everyone has to lift their hands and clap to the songs in worship but I do believe that we might have lost a part of our worship experience that God deserves because we have been so concerned that we might be worshipping like a denomination and have held back the emotional side of us as human beings that God deserves from us in our worship.

When we sing the song “Nearer Still Nearer” it brings tears to my eyes. Thinking about those words to that old 1898 hymn allows me to draw closer to the Creator of the Universe because of His love for me he gave His only Son at Calvary. The tears flow when I think of those words and the Holy God that will shelter me from all harm.We must acknowledge that emotional engagement with God in worship is not an issue of temperament, but obedience to His Word.

Half-hearted worship is no worship at all. Whether we consider ourselves outgoing, reclusive, or somewhere in between, God is to be desired above all things. As we encounter the truth about God in a fresh way, we are to respond accordingly, whether it be in delight, peace, awe, or comfort. These are all natural responses that flow from a genuine relationship with the living God. Emotional expression is not a matter of self, but of mutual edification. Although biblical worship can involve a wide range of emotional responses, we are guided and restrained by the scriptural injunction to behave toward other Christians only in ways that build them up: "Make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification" (Romans 14:19).

My understanding is that in showing love to my brother, I am showing love to God. Our knowledge of God and His grace is meant to inspire a greater passion for Him. Likewise, the experience of joy as we worship God provokes a thirst to know Him better.

No two individuals are affected the same in worship. We all come from different backgrounds, races, parts of the world, and even come to worship with different “baggage” and trials. We all will respond differently in our worship to God based on our emotional being.

We need to remember to love our God with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength. For the wonders of creation, for the miracle of the new birth, for the sacrifice of His only Son in our place, for the peace of His sovereign care, for the blessing of His Word -- for all these and infinitely more, God deserves our highest, purest, and strongest emotions.

"But the hour is coming, and now is, when true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth." John 4:23-24

Elders Meeting Minutes (October 11 and 12)

Shepherds meeting notes for October 12, 2006.

A time of prayer. Your shepherds spent most of their time re-assessing how best to achieve the works (goals) that Christ has set out for all of us. Christ's goals for us don't change.so our discussion centered on what is the best way, knowing our resources, strengths and areas to improve, to accomplish our A B C's here at Central. More to come.

Without a doubt your shepherd's best assets are their wives. So we took time to just listen to them and heard from their perspective their thoughts for fully engaging the Central body to be unified in achieving our goals. We felt that was time well spent.so if you have comments on how the Central body can do better, remember, we will always have time to listen. Keep your shepherds in your prayers; we're praying for you.


October 11, 2006 shepherds meeting notes.

Your shepherds took the full meeting time to pray for the Central family in very specific ways and raising members up by name.

This is a brief summary of those prayers.

a.. Jerry - for the wonderful families and members that call Central their family. Also for the families and individuals that have challenges as they just try to do the right thing. He asked that the Father help us all in a special way.

b.. Bill - for the children and young people as they have so many distractions as they try to grow spiritually.

c.. Rex - for the sick, hurting, shut-ins and aging members (so many by name).

d.. Roger - for the active, working members at Central that just get it done.day after day, week after week. He prayed that the workers would not tire and would be encouraged to do more and more. Also for those who are not actively engaged, that they will want to do better and for unity of the church of Christ in Topeka.

e.. Gary - for wisdom, discernment and insight for the shepherds and that God will guide us in His direction.

Please be praying for us as we discuss direction for the Central body.

Worship Music Today

In my lifetime, I have been blessed to see the church go through some much needed changes in the aspect of music style in worship. The contemporary music change in the Church of Christ today, I believe, has encouraged our younger generation to stay within the fellowship. Music is everything with our young people today. It is the fabric of their society. Just talk to teens today, all aspects of their lives are wrapped up in music. From I-Pods to CD's to you name it, music plays an important part in their lives.

How about worship music? I believe God teaches us to sing and make melody in our hearts as He wants desperately for us to give Him our hearts in the corporate worship setting. I am thankful that we have had some leaders in the church today that have written new worship songs that have focused on God and less on ourselves.

Many of the songs written 50 years ago emphasize us instead of God. Go through the older songbooks and see the changes that have taken place.

One of my hobbies is collecting old hymnbooks. As I go through the pages of many older books, I see songs that were written about us and not about God.

Not all new songs are Biblical either. As worship leaders and as worshippers, we need to examine the words of many of the songs that we sing to our Father.

Worship is the highlight of my week. I can't wait to be with my brothers and sisters and have the opportunity as a family to worship our God. I pray that our worship this Sunday will be an opportunity to praise the Creator of the Universe and give Him all glory that He is due. As Josh leads us in worship, sing with all your heart and think about the great blessings He has given all of us as children of His.

Psalm 100
"Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful singing. Know that the Lord Himself is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His name. For the Lord is good; His loving kindness is everlasting, and His faithfulness to all generations"

Hymn Two (Unsung)

Hymn Two (Unsung)

October again. Sunflowers cease their brash yellowing show.
Oaks and ashes flicker modestly in cool winds, whipping through town.
Sumac is coming red.
Each Monday more fields turn under—stubble and muted furrows
pressed low to morning skies. The morning heaves with no sound
save our own prayer, whispered, said.

Like the mid-day tolling of an unseen bell, O LORD,
like soft patter of drops on a dry, acrid window,
my meaty heart tightens.
Like roiling clouds, an autumn squall, the grey scud roar,
like the hidden twilight on horizon peeking, trying to grow,
to brim and brighten

another day before another night, First Artist, Fall Creator,
You animate dead flesh, breathe spirit into a tired night-mind.
In me, sunflower and sumac meet.
You wed them in pure autumn union always greater.
Morning forgotten. Day, now through. Even night falling behind—In color and contrast, shape and line, I, Your living landscape, complete.

Michael P. Carriger

1st Century Church or a 1st Century Jesus

I attended a discussion on leadership at the Zoe Conference on Saturday for Elders presented by Dr. John York, a Bible Professor, at Libscomb University. It was very informative and made me think about direction and purpose not only for my personal life, but the Central Family.

One session centered on working with the body and individuals of your church in situations such as divorce, sexual orientation issues, addictions and other deep personal issues.

Dealing with these subjects over the years, many elderships across the country have made decisions and judgments based on the judicial method. Going to the Bible or examining past practice (traditions). Many individuals searching for Christ never believed they had a chance because of past issues in their personal lives. They believed they could never receive the grace and forgiveness that could be found in Christ.

Another ingredient, in any decision-making process, is the need to examine the individual's circumstances. When you look at the relational side of an individual, you begin to realize that the situation might warrant further review and discussion on what might be best for the individual or individuals involved other than just condemnation and throwing the erring brother or sister out in the cold. Did Jesus practice this method? He looked at the individual in light of God’s Word and told them “to go and sin no more”.

I am thankful that I work with an eldership that looks at the individual and tries to help them in all ways possible to understand the situation and the sin in their lives and allow God to change and work on their hearts.

An elder in our discussion group made a comment that I have been constantly thinking about the past two days, “I don’t want to be the Church of the 1st Century, I want to be Jesus of the 1st Century”.

We need to ask ourselves what Jesus would do in situations. What would he do to help individuals battle sin and despair and allow them to rebuild their lives and begin life a new.

He took the time to become involved in people’s lives.

As Evan would say, "ministry in messy."

Zoe Weekend Wrap-Up

It was a great weekend in Nashville. Many things running through our minds after being challenged this past weekend by some of the greatest religious minds of the brotherhood. It was great to see so many York friends and Kevin and Iris Riggs from the group Hallal at the Worship weekend.

Otter Creek was a great worship experience on Sunday. A capacity crowd of about 1,500 filled their auditorium. Great singing and we heard great preaching from my former YC Professor
Dr. Tim Woodroff, minister at Otter Creek.

Carl and I will be sharing blogs in the coming days on the weekend events.

For now a little rest would be nice.

Zoe Conference Update #2

Last night was another incredible worship time. When you have tears flowing down your cheeks because you don’t deserve to be in the presence of the Creator of the Universe you know that it has been a very special time.

As I look back on the weekend, I am thankful for Gods love. That He believed in me enough to offer a sacrifice that one day I can actually be in His presence around the throne worshipping at his feet.

After last night, it’s hard to put into words the feelings and thoughts that I have. I will be sharing some of the lectures, highlights and worship experiences in my blog the next few weeks to describe what we experienced in Nashville.

We will worship at Otter Creek this morning and head back later on today. Please pray for us as we fly back to Kansas.

Zoe Conference Update

Amazing evening of praise!

The Zoe Conference is again a blessing for all those in attendance.

About 1,500 worshipped last night for over 4 hours. Felt like 30 minutes.

Please keep us in your prayers as we head back on Sunday evening.

Zoe Conference

We leave today for the 10th Annual Zoe Look to the Hills Worship Conference in Nashville, Tennessee.

The 2006 Look to the Hills Conference theme this year is Closer.

The theme of being Closer to God is the desire of our hearts and the longing of our souls. The intimacy we seek in many inappropriate places can in truth only be found in the God of heaven and earth.

Please be praying for Carl, Josh, Sharron, Rob and I as we travel and as we seek ways to enhance our congregational worship time.

I am looking forward to three days of worship with about 2,000 people from all over the country.

Elders Meeting Minutes (October 4, 2006)

As an additional communication tool between the Shepherds and the Central congregation, we will be distributing minutes from our weekly Elders' Meetings. We hope to keep the Central Family informed of information items that might be of interest in ministry here at Central. Minutes will also be posted on the following web site: http://worshipreflections.blogspot.com/

October 4, 2006

Elder of the Month: Roger Hamm.

Roger led us in prayer.

Items Discussed:

a.. Your shepherds took time to review some preliminary cost estimates for the current proposed building project. The estimates were higher than anticipated and the building committee will want to take another look at the project. Several options were discussed for funding the new facility. You should know that your shepherds are carefully trying to balance "stepping out on faith" with what we can realistically afford. We feel servicing a large debt load is not wise stewardship.

b.. Your shepherds are confident the mission works supported by the Central Church of Christ are worthy of our continued support. The following missions will be receiving the same level of funding for 2007: Barry Bergsten (Prison Ministry); Emporia State University Student Center; Max Dauner (France); Niranjana Rao Mathi (India); Paul Kee; Predisan; Raja Sekhar Mathi (India); Russel Bell (India); Search of the Lords Way; Tallgrass Christian Camp; and World Bible School.

c.. Addition line items will be budgeted for our members who want to go on mission trips. Historically, Central has been able to help its members, usually $500 per person, with the cost of worthy mission trips. $6,400 will be set aside for such trips.

d.. Central family - you should know, Mike Wright has offered to help with any Bible studies you set-up. Thanks Mike!

e.. Your shepherds are planning a work session on Thursday, October 12 to discuss 2007 plans as well as 5-10 year direction. Please pray for your shepherds in this effort.

f.. Men's retreat at Tallgrass coming Oct. 20-21. Encourage all men to attend.

g.. David has been networking with youth ministers in the region as we try to get a feeling for which direction we want to take in our minister search.

Prayer for Hurting/Sick Members and Families.

The Elders spent time in prayer (led by Rex) for individual family members that are hurting physically, as well as spiritually.

Meeting concluded at 10:30 p.m.

Hymn One (Unsung)

I am very excited to be sharing with the Central Family each Wednesday a series of prayers, hymns and psalms from my brother Mike Carriger. Mike is an English Teacher/Chairman of the English Department at Lawrence High School, teaches college classes and is a member of the Southside Church of Christ in Lawrence. Mike is only a few months away from receiving his PhD in English from the University of Kansas. Mike will be sharing his inner feelings with us in a variety of modern day psalms.

Hymn One (Unsung)

We glimpse an awful depth. A flim-flam drudge and worry
empty us, past many yesterdays through which we fought, coasted.
Now vacant with a hollow moan—
cars lurch in ant rows. Coffee brews. Din. Red eyes press the screen flicker and hurry
nearer icons, streaming dreams, lists to-do, messages sent, deleted, re-posted.
It’s in our bones,

spreading. LORD, it’s spreading. Arbitrary mechanical progressions—the tick,
the thought, the think, already thought, gained, never-gained—the tock.
Man’s aged-old panic, a life lost.
Some creek once fished. A bike splayed on a front yard—the click,
The freezer’s slice of wedding cake. The dusty veil and lace under bed—the clock.
Hope, regret, fond memory at a cost.

On You, LORD, we lock our eyes. We set our soul’s sweet time.
With finely-tuned precision we simply say take us when,
by and by, You
want, see fit. This rock still spins ever-shaky, warbling, sublime.
We rarely sense the crisis-moment’s jilt, lunge, and creak. It’s then, for service, we ask more days, maybe a few.

Michael P. Carriger

What Is Happening in our Society?

What in happening in our society?

What in the world is going on? It seems that when it rains, it pours. School shootings (Colorado/Wisconsin/Pennsylvania), cop shootings, terrorism, bizarre sexual assault cases...What in the world is going on? Why do tragedies seem to occur all at once?

The most civilized country in all the world has serious problems.

The only way to fix it.......is to place God back in our culture society and way of life.

Mentor

Mentors I have so many special individuals that have shaped my philosophy of life and my faith.

My years at York College were some of the greatest moments in my life. It was a time where, as I look back, some of the greatest thinkers in the Churches of Christ of today were actually just starting their teaching careers and I benefited greatly hearing these individuals on a daily basis. Men like Tim Woodruff (Minister at the Otter Creek Church in Nashville), Mike Westerfield (President of Rochester College), Dennis Lynn (Past President of Cascade College), and James Hinkle (Minister and Counselor in Dickson, TN) just to name a few.

James Hinkle was my Bible professor at York College. James was a great teacher. He was full of energy and excitement. He wrote his own textbooks for his Bible courses. He made God's Word so easy to understand, but so exciting that you never wanted to miss a class. We always sang the same song to start out his class "Come we that love the Lord" and then we prayed. James was always interested in his students. He always took time to listen to concerns and build relationships.

When I returned to York to teach in 1995, I really began to get to know James and his family. James and I always had hit it off because he loved basketball. When I was playing for York he was always one of my biggest supporters. When I returned to York he helped me in many ways as I coached the girl’s programs. He was always there helping in any way possible.

But the most enjoyable time we spent together was what was called "Noon League". This was where the teachers and staff played basketball at lunchtime every weekday. I loved that time of the day. You really get to know people when you’re throwing elbows at former teachers and are also on the receiving end. Sometimes it got so heated (playing with these Bible Profs) we would have to stop and pray and ask God to give us patience and not retaliate against each other. James loved to play. He always played at 100%. He was a good player who was fast and you hated playing against him when he guarded you. He had ways to keep you from getting the ball and you always ended up with scratches and blood pouring from some body part. I liked his aggressive style.

Today, James is a Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor at the Walnut Street Church of Christ in Dickson, Tennessee.

James, thank you for making such an impact on my life. You and your family were so kind to Debbie and I just starting out in our married life. Thank you for your Godly teaching, preaching and example that you have been to so many people. You were one of my early mentors that shared a message about Christ that has changed my life. May God continue to bless you and your family in your important ministry.