Praise Team Appreication Dinner

Madison’s Praise Team appreciation dinner was last night. Spouses of Praise Team members were invited, so Barb and I enjoyed a night out together. Something we don’t do near enough.We presently have three different teams, one for Sunday morning worship, one for Life Builders Adult Bible Class, and one for Pray and Praise on Wednesday evening. I sing with the Life Builders class group. It was not only a wonderful night of food and fellowship, but the entertainment was simply over the top! Greg Wilson of Greg Wilson Ministries presented his "Hats" drama. "Hats" is a one-man play written, produced, and acted by Greg Wilson. Greg gave us a glimpse into the minds of nine different personalities that we run into from time to time in our world; Worry Wart, Red Neck, Junk Yard Guy, Grandpa, Cameron (4 yr. old), 911 Dad, Drunkaholic, Church Lady, Homeless Guy. One minute we were doubled over in laughter and the next our hearts were brought to tears. More than anything else Greg made us think. I was reminded again of what a powerful teaching tool drama is, if it is done well. Today’s media saturated society needs the type of teaching that grabs them by the throat and heart, and won’t let them go. Dry, boring, monotone sermons do not communicate with today's world. But on other hand the power of a story can grab you and not let you go. Stories were used so powerfully by Jesus, and I saw the power of story again last evening. The evening came to an end in song. One of them led by our brother Ray Wison. Ray is a story himself of God’s amazing grace. Just a few months ago he was diagnosed with a serious form of cancer. He is cancer free today. Ray led us in "How Great Thou Art" in his own special way. I couldn’t help but think, as the halls were filled with blended voices, of how wonderful Heaven will be. There we won’t have to stop and go home - we will be home! 1 Come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us give a joyous shout to the rock of our salvation! 2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving. Let us sing him psalms of praise. 3 For the LORD is a great God, the great King above all gods. 4 He owns the depths of the earth, and even the mightiest mountains are his. 5 The sea belongs to him, for he made it. His hands formed the dry land, too. 6 Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the LORD our maker, 7 for he is our God. We are the people he watches over, the sheep under his care. Psalm 95:1-7 NLT