I don’t know about you, but according to my mom, the reason I have to do anything and everything is, “because I said so!”  

Mom, why do I have to go to bed when I’m not tired?  Because I said so!  
Mom, why do I have to make my bed if I’m just going to mess it up again tonight?  Because I said so!  
Mom, why do I have to eat broccoli?  You guessed it, “because I said so!"  
But there is one thing my mom has admitted she can’t make me do.  “I can’t make you love Jesus.”

Now, she’s not saying that I don’t love Jesus (because He is totally AWESOME and I do), but that my relationship with Jesus is not something she can make happen because she says so.  It’s something I get to choose all by myself.  Of course, to help me make the choice she has told us that she loves Jesus and that He knows she loves Him. She has sung songs with me about how much Jesus loves me and she has prayed with me and taught me to pray. She always makes sure I’m ready for church and gets me there in time for Sunday School. And, my personal favorite, she has watched Veggie Tales with me (and she wonders why I don’t want to eat vegetables). And with her help, I’ve even learned who Adam, Eve, Noah, David, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are.

My mom has also told me she was well into her forties when she came to really know Jesus. I didn’t even know she was that old!  She tells me that she wishes it wouldn’t have taken so long but finally getting to know Jesus was AWESOME!  She wouldn’t trade even a minute of it. She said she realized that He alone was her source of hope. When I asked her what that meant she said it was a lot like me and Christmas.  Usually around February, I start making my “wish list” of all the things I hope to get for Christmas.  Then, I have to wait for what seems like forever to find out if I get any of it.  The day would finally arrive and I am either super excited or really sad depending on what is under the wrapping paper.  Well, she said with Jesus, when the day comes that you finally get to know and love him, you’re always SUPER EXCITED and never disappointed because the gift is always perfect.  She says knowing the gift is always perfect, is hope.

Even though she can’t make me choose Jesus on her own, she has done everything she can to plant a seed. Sometimes she overwaters the seed (I mean really, do we have to sing all 19 verses of that song…), but that’s okay because I know she is excited for me to get to know Jesus.  And, it helps prepare me for times when things get hot and dry by making sure my roots are deep.  She knows that Jesus loves me with His whole heart, no matter what.

Well, I’ve got to sign off now and clean my room.  And you want to know why? You guessed it, because she said so.

Have a great week and remember, when you know Jesus, you know hope!
Scooter

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of that not yet seen.” Hebrews 11:1

Directors are able to preview anthems unlike ever before. Join Ashley and Glenn as they recreate three beautiful anthems with powerful and timely messages using piano, voice, and digital flute and cello.

Download episode HEREhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/1230407/5492059-anthems-of-hope-with-flute-and-cello.mp3?blob_id=22392628&download=true

In this Episode, Keith takes you through his thought process for choosing music for a worship service. 

Holy cow! Can you believe it? It's finally time for school to start again! As a rule, I am never ever ready to go back to homework, but this year is different. I know I'm going to regret saying this, but I actually miss school! I miss being in class. I miss seeing everyone. And, yes, I actually miss the homework! What's happening to me??!!

And, I know, it's going to be a little different this year, but I can't wait for it to start. In fact, I've been getting ready for the last month. Mom let me convert a corner of the dining room into my new school "Command Center." It's AWESOME!!! It's a desk (that can easily convert to a fort, should the need arise) with my own computer and bookshelf. I have sharpened at least a million pencils and have them all lined up, ready for action!

But, I know there's a lot to consider this year. Mom has been telling me for years that "there is no bigger stage in a child’s development than starting school." Man, even as I write that I can hear her voice... So, to help make sure that everyone's first few days of the year are awesome, here are a few things Ms. Brooke shared with me that you and your parents can do to get ready for the big day.

Talk about it.
The easiest way to get everyone ready for starting school is to discuss it as a family. What are we excited about? What gives us butterflies? What are the expectations? Children can feel a lot more secure with unknowns when they can express it in words. Be positive and supportive.

Read through the paperwork.
Schools will send a bundle of information for you to sift through that may look different than it did last year. Make sure that you take the time to read all of this and make a note of any important information such as procedures and upcoming dates. And, very importantly, make sure that you have a clear understanding of when school is due to start, school hours (online and in person), and how to communicate with your child’s teachers.

Go shopping.
From clothes and shoes (because your child has probably grown out of and worn everything out that they used last year) to a backpack and school supplies, unfortunately, getting ready to start school can be costly. To ensure that you get everything that you need, check the paperwork from school or go online for a list and pace yourself.

Read with your child.
The best way to get your child ready for school is to make sure you read together every single day. This will help them to learn a particular key skill that you may not consider they’ll need for school; sitting still for a prolonged period of time. Let them choose books they are interested in reading. At this point, it’s not so much what they are reading but that they are able to develop a habit of and a love for reading.

Don’t talk about it too much.
The last thing to bear in mind when preparing for starting school is to try not to discuss it too much as this could build up anxiety in your child. Ensure that conversations about school come up naturally. It’s all too easy to be consumed with thoughts about starting school, both for you and your child.

Pray!
The bible calls us to pray. If we are to be obedient to His will, then prayer must be part of our life in Him. Prayer allows us to worship and praise the Lord. Moreover, prayer grants us the opportunity to present our requests to God. He is personal, cares for us, and wants to hear from us!

That's AWESOME!!! And, remember, whatever your first day looks like, me and Ms. Brooke will be praying for you.

Your (ready for school to start) Pal,
Scooter

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

In this final episode of the series, Keith compares the sounds of two different organs. You won’t want to miss this rare opportunity!

This episode takes us through some oldies but goodies in the Oxford Easy Anthem Book. Also, take a listen through a very fun honorable mention piece sure to inspire any congregation!

Some songs make us cry. Others fill us with inspiration and courage. Still, there are some that you can’t help but laugh at. Laugh along with us at this hilarious outtake from episode 1.

Join Keith as he continues the discussion of pipe families and their unique sounds on the organ.

Musical Musings- Episode 1

In this episode: Glenn and I play through "Music for the Contemporary Choir". Get your headphones on, and get ready to listen to some fun music and ramblings in our own living room. 

The world sure can feel selfish sometimes. I remember, just before the pandemic craziness hit, my good buddy, Rufus, got the latest edition of the "ForkNite" game.  It's the one where all the players are utensils on this big picnic blanket and everyone is trying to be the first to eat the apple pie.... It's AWESOME!!!  Anyway, Rufus invited me over to play, but when I got there, he would only let me watch him play.  It's almost like he thought that any time I spent playing his game would somehow keep him from playing later. He totally forgot the 'Golden Rule' - let your friends play with your stuff  (I'm sure it's in the Bible somewhere.)  Anyway, like a lot of people out there Rufus thought, “if I give to you, there will be less for me.” He completely forgot that when we only focus on ourselves, we miss out on incredible opportunities to help others!

That’s exactly why I am a huge fan of paying it forward. That means doing something for or sharing something with (I'm looking at you, Rufus) others without expecting anything from them.  You see, the more we lift each other up and support each other the better we will all be! And you want to know the best part?  By paying it forward and helping others, you end up helping yourself!

The cool part is that by paying it forward, you can make a big difference in this world. Not only will you make someone else feel totally awesome, but you could set off a chain reaction, you know, like those cool videos where someone starts off by tipping over a domino, which then flips a switch, which then starts a fan, which then... well, you get the picture.  And they usually end with bread being toasted or something ever cooler. Now, if you pay it forward to three people, then they pay it forward to three others, before you know it, the entire planet could be transformed!

But what is the concept of paying it forward all about? What does it mean to pay something forward? The idea behind it is that whenever someone does something nice for you, in turn, you do something nice for someone else. You can also be the one who starts paying it forward, the one who sets it all in motion. The thrill of paying it forward is that you do something really good for someone who did not expect it. And it doesn’t even have to be someone you know!

So, how can we pay it forward?

Look out for opportunities. 
Life will provide you with numerous opportunities to pay it forward. You only have to be attentive.

Be willing to help strangers. There may not always be an opportunity to do a good deed for your family or friends, but you can always help those who are in need, even if they are complete strangers.

Give freely without expecting anything in return. Many people will ask you how they can reimburse you for your kindness. Tell them that you don’t expect anything in return, but that you would greatly appreciate it if they could pay the good deed forward.

Even small acts count. Affecting change doesn’t take much. You don’t have to be rich, powerful or influential. All that matters is that you are willing.

What a great way to ‘Be the Church!’ I’m excited to hear from you about your creative ideas to pay it forward. Let me know in the comments below! Oh and remember, don't be a Rufus!

Your Pal,
Scooter

“Praise be to the Lord, for he showed me the wonders of his love when I was in a city under siege.” Psalm 31:21

Keith explains different families of pipes, and directs and plays the parts of a "mini-orchestra".

Children's Video Message from July 5, 2020

In this first episode of the series, Keith Cox explains some basic features of the organ.
https://youtu.be/lUieJW8xJ-I

Hey families, Scooter here!

So, the other day Ms. Brooke told me I should start a blog. My first thought was, "that's a cool name for something" and my second thought was, "does it involve mud or, even better, slime?" Sadly, it involves neither. (Awww man...)  She told me it was basically me just putting all the stuff rattling around in my brain on paper. And yes, there's more going on in my head than just a bunch of stuffing!  So, here goes my first attempt....

I don't know about you, but because of the whole COVID-19 pandemic, it sure feels like somebody pushed a great big "pause button" in the sky. It's affecting everyone! I don't get to go to the movies like I used to or hang out with my friends. And as frustrated as that makes me, I know my parents are just as frustrated. Their lives have changed too. When parents are going through tough times, it’s common for kids to pick up on these things and become fearful. I know I do. And that fear can come from literally everywhere! Sometimes it comes from catching just a second of the news. Sometimes it comes from overhearing conversations between teens or adults. And other times it comes from seeing what our parents post and read in social media. So, I started thinking, how can we help each other, especially us kids, to keep from losing hope through all of this?  Well, lucky for us, I found some really AWESOME suggestions from some of the smartest, most fun people I know, my friends at Pine Cove...

LISTEN.
“Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” James 1:19 Let them talk about why they are afraid and to the degree that they are able express their fears. Sometimes just voicing a fear to another soul helps it shrink.

EMPOWER THEM TO FACE THEIR FEARS.
This idea is to let them own their decision so that they can own their success.

REASSURE, BUT WITH LIMITS.
Being overly reassuring actually increases fear. Once the fear has been heard and validated for a few minutes, move on.

HELP THEM MAKE A PLAN.
In helping your child work through a fear, break it down into steps and set small goals leading to the larger goal. For example, if your child usually needs you to sit in the room until they fall asleep, first set the large goal: “At the end of the week, you will turn off your own light and fall asleep on your own,” and then break it down into steps. Night one, you’ll turn off the lights and then sit with him until they fall asleep. Night two: you’ll leave the door cracked and sit outside the room. Night three: you’ll close the door and sit outside.... And so on.

OFFER ENCOURAGEMENT.
Point out the places where they have shown courage and express belief that they can do it again. “You’ve got this!” goes a long way in building confidence and courage.

FOSTER CHARACTER, NOT OUTCOME.
If they faced their fear, but failed at the task, help them reframe that as a success. Let them know you value the character traits of courage, perseverance, and teachability overreaching particular goals.

BE PATIENT.
Parenting is a long game and it’s important we don’t lose the forest for the trees. Small steps over the course of time can make a big difference.

POINT THEM TO THE GOD WHO IS WITH US.
We are courageous not because the thing we face is not scary, but because we trust a big God.

Man, isn't that AWESOME!!!!  They really are some of the coolest people I know. And, remember, even if it still feels like that big "pause button" in the sky is still pressed, that doesn't mean that we're not doing ministry (that's what Ms. Brooke calls learning and sharing about Jesus), it just means we’re not doing things the way we’ve always done them, which is pretty cool!

Until next time, Stay Safe!
Scooter

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Children's Video Message from May 31, 2020

Children's Video Message from May 24, 2020

Children's Video Message from May 10, 2020

Children's Video Message from April 12, 2020