We're having a heat wave

We are facing a heat wave in Raleigh today. As I write this post it is already 104 degrees outside.The Triangle could tie the record for the hottest temperature ever at Raleigh-Durham International Airport if the mercury slips one degree above the predicted high of 104 degrees for Friday and Saturday.

It is also very hot in my upstairs at my house. This is when my PC is located and where I usually spend a lot of time in front of my computer. As I gaze at the thermostat it records that the temperature is 84 degrees. The repair man came today to replace the motor in our central air unit. Now the air conditioner is working hard to bring the temp down in our upstairs,

This evening I begin teaching the final weekend of the classes for the Carolina's School of Ministry. Students from North and South Carolina will meet me a a few hours to begin our evening class and classes tomorrow morning.

To deal with the heat I recommend the following:

Slow down. Reduce, eliminate or reschedule strenuous activities for the coolest time of day. At-risk individuals should stay in the coolest available place.

Dress for summer. Lightweight, light-colored clothing reflects heat and sunlight and helps your body maintain normal temperatures.

Put less fuel on your inner fires. Foods, including proteins, that increase metabolic heat production also increase water loss.

Drink plenty of water or non-alcoholic fluids, even if you don't feel thirsty. Your body needs water to keep cool. People who have epilepsy or heart, kidney or liver disease; are on fluid-restrictive diets or have a problem with fluid retention should consult a physician before increasing their consumption of fluids.

Spend more time in air-conditioned places. Air conditioning markedly reduces the danger from the heat. If you cannot afford an air conditioner, spending some time each day, particularly during the hottest weather, in an air-conditioned environment affords some protection. I strongly encourage everyone to seek an air conditioned CHURCH this coming Sunday.

At North Raleigh Church of the Nazarene our church is air conditioned with comfortable chairs, friendly people and a prayer soaked atmosphere to encounter God.

We came in peace

On this date in 1969, I was a 14 years old - glued to the black and white TV set in our family room. With a pen in hand, I took notes about one of the greatest events I have ever witnessed:

American Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the Moon.

The astronaut stepped onto the Moon's surface, in the Sea of Tranquility, at 0256 GMT, nearly 20 minutes after first opening the hatch on the Eagle landing craft.
Armstrong had earlier reported the lunar module's safe landing at 2017 GMT with the words: "Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed."

As he put his left foot down first Armstrong declared: "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." He described the surface as being like powdered charcoal and the landing craft left a crater about a foot deep. Armstrong spent his first few minutes on the Moon taking photographs and soil samples in case the mission had to be aborted suddenly.

He was joined by colleague Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin at 0315 GMT and the two collected data and performed various exercises - including jumping across the landscape - before planting the Stars and Stripes flag at 0341 GMT.

They also unveiled a plaque bearing President Nixon's signature and an inscription reading: "Here men from the planet Earth first set foot upon the Moon July 1969 AD. We came in peace for all mankind."

After filming their experience with a portable television camera the astronauts received a message from the US President. President Nixon, in the White House, spoke of the pride of the American people and said: "This certainly has to be the most historic telephone call ever made."

A preview of July 17 at NRN

On Sunday - July 17th - I will continue in the teaching series about God's Amazing Grace. I am anticipating a awesome day of worship and praise at NRN. Here is a sample of our worship songs:


























If you were there for the first message in this series - I used this clip from one of my favorite groups - One Time Blind. Here it is as a reminder:





On Sunday July 17th - I will share about God's Healing Grace...

Mosaic - Song of the Day: Trust the Lord

The current members of MOSAIC are Jonathan Taylor Martin; Devon Graves; Emily Martin; Patrick Lockwood and Molly Lockwood. They will be in concert ministry at NRN on July 10 at 10:45am.

In anticipation of their newest album release they are providing us with a new song for the album each day. Here is the song of the day - which you can hear live in church tomorrow at NRN.

TRUST IN THE LORD

Lyrics
Patrick Lockwood, Jonathan Taylor Martin
Proverbs 3

Do not forget, but let your heart keep my commandments
For length of days, years of life and peace they will add to you
Kindness and truth, write and bind them on your heart
You will find favor in the sight of God and man

Trust the Lord with all your heart
Do not lean on your understanding
In all your ways acknowledge Him
And He will make Your path straight

Do not be wise in your own eyes, fear the Lord and turn from evil
It will be healing and refreshment to your bones
Honor the Lord from the first fruits of your wealth
You will have plenty, your cup will overflow with new wine

Do not reject the discipline of the Lord our loving Father
We are His children and in our good He delights
Blessed is the man who finds wisdom and understanding
It’s better than silver and worth more than fine gold

© 2011 Mosaic Music, LLC

To hear the story behind the song and then this great song - click here:

Trust the Lord

Mosaic Song of the Day: Seek the Lord

Mosaic will be in concert ministry at NRN this Sunday
July 10 at 10:45am. I hope many people will be in attendance and our family at NRN will invite their friends for this special event!



Seek the Lord

Simply click on the title to hear the song and view the lyrics.

Mosaic at NRN on Sunday July 10

MOSAIC

in concert ministry

at

North Raleigh Church of the Nazarene

Sunday - July 10th - 10:45am

Mosaic is a diverse group of friends and artists that love God, love each other, and love sharing music. Though they grew up all around the country, the members of Mosaic all graduated from and met at Belmont University in Nashville, TN.

Individually each member is unique in style and personality, but these friends have joined together to support each other, serve the church, glorify God, and make great music. It's Mosaic's desire to display the beauty of community and the strength in being different parts of one unified body.

Mosaic began their ministry in May 2009 by performing several small concerts along the east coast, featuring collaboration between the members of Mosaic, each performing their individual pieces written as solo singer-songwriters. In October 2009 with Christmas approaching, Mosaic made plans to record a Christmas album comprising fresh, imaginative arrangements of classic songs, chosen to raise Jesus back to the forefront of Christmas, while focusing on worship and praise. In January 2010, Mosaic made the move to start performing and ministering full time and began writing for their second album “As Long As It Is Day”.

Mosaic is currently touring the country full time. Their newest album, entitled “Teach Us”, is anticipated to release on July 15, 2011, kicking off the summer with a new tour and a new season of songs! Never more excited to share their music with the Church than they are now, Mosaic, is trusting God to use these songs to ignite a fresh and authentic application of Scripture in the lives of His people.

Here is an excerpt from the upcoming release about a song they will share this coming Sunday. I was moved by the song story - and then the great message from this song: Simply click on the title:

Don’t Lose Heart

How we spend our day

My wife, Sharron, departed for her trip to Canada on Thursday June 18th. She is taking care of her dad following his surgery. I am so glad to hear the good reports that he is doing so well. Sharron returns to Raleigh on Sunday afternoon, July 3rd.

Today is the last Saturday before her return - so I have a long "honey-do" list toaccomplish.

This Sunday I will continue in the teaching series on the Amazing Grace of God.

Here is a quote I recently read that spoke to me about how I spend my time each day.

"How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives. What we do with this hour, and that one is what we are doing. A schedule defends us from chaos and whim. It is a net for catching days. It is a scaffolding on which a worker can stand and labor with both hands, a section at a time." -- Annie Dillard