Mental Musings

I decided to write a Christmas hymn tonight. My wife read it and suggested that I needed a bridge and a tag (to give it the modern form of VCVCBCT), so I added those as well. Christmas Hymn by Steve Poole, 2011 Mary, Joseph traveled far to reach the chosen place Wise men followed a blazing star With gifts for Christ to grace Angels came from heaven on high Proclaiming the newborn King Shepherds came from fields nearby Then left with songs to sing Gifts of love we each can bring Christ has come, now let us sing Let your praises ever ring Glory to the newborn King Now we often travel home Nearing Christmas Day Yet, wise men share with those who roam Of love and hope, I pray For angels shout to hear them call For help from all their strife Christ lying in a manger stall Was born to bring new life Gifts of love we each can bring Christ has come, now let us sing Let your praises ever ring Glory to the newborn King Glorious day, rejoice and sing Come to Chri...

There are certain things that you hear in your life that you may never forget. It can be as simple as just another way of looking at something or perhaps a completely new thought or idea that had never occurred to you prior. I don't think I will ever forget a statement that was made in my Practice of Church Music class: "Anytime a church has a large number of policies, you can tell that they have had many problems in their past." I have found this to be true in most any organization that I have encountered. Why is that? I believe it is because we would rather make new policies than actually deal with the problem. Example: somebody in your Homeowner's Association puts up a really ugly shed and at the next meeting they vote to create a policy about what type of shed is acceptable for your association. Why not just deal with the problem in a loving and caring way? If the ugly shed really concerns people because it could detract from their property values, then simply ...

I have a problem with people who force their religious beliefs on others, be it Christians, Muslims, Atheists or Secularists. "Wait a minute," you say, "what do you mean by secularist?" Secularism or Secular Humanism is a religion because it is a belief system that supersedes and/or replaces God. It includes people of many beliefs, including Christians sadly, but the fundamentals of secular humanism override all other belief systems. It is a religion that has spread throughout our higher education, political system and judicial system, spurred on by the mainstream media. The one area that Secular Humanists have been most successful is in teaching the young people of our nation to believe that there is good in all people and that, regardless of their individual beliefs, society can work together to bring an end to war, pestilence, famine, poverty, hatred, and bigotry. How? Through scientific enlightenment and communal values. This is beamed into the mentality of o...

My Winter Holiday by Steve Poole, 2011 Putting up the holiday tree, Mailing holiday greetings with glee, Buying presents for others from me, Why am I still so empty? Singing holiday carols ‘til three, Then watching holiday shows on TV, While sipping a cup of holiday tea, Why am I still so empty? Then reading the card you sent to me, “Not presents nor cards nor even the tree, Are reasons we celebrate this day, you see” Now I don’t feel so empty. You shared about Christ and His nativity, The star, the angels, the shepherds, Mary, The birth of the One who died for me, Now I don’t feel so empty. Now looking at my holiday tree, The cards and carols and presents for me, I know the reason for all of the glee, And I am no longer empty. For Christ was born and died for me, I want my friends and family to see, That Christ is the reason for all of my glee, And I am no longer empty. Merry Christmas

Looking back on the past five and a half years that I have been blogging, I realized that I have many posts which have had virtually no views. But then I also have a few that have had thousands of views. So I thought I would share some of the posts that I think deserve a second look. Hope you enjoy some of these. WORSHIP Your Worship Ministry: Community or Country Club Defining Worship Styles Spotlight on Competence Worship Wars Should We Compete with Hollywood Don't Compete...Complete Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Primary Purpose for the Church Worship Changes Silent Lord's Supper Communion: How Should We Observe It ? Heavenly Music What Is Wrong With Professionalism Nothing New Under Heaven WRITING Christmas Hymn Building the Church Together The Writing Process Poetry Seasons of Life Free Dramatic Script I Want You Thankful In a Daze Rest in Him Everyone Prays in His Own Language Friend To Me DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS Elijah Was a Man Ju...

I have had the opportunity recently to use the iPhone 4s in home rather than drooling over it at the Apple Store. Since I have been using the Android platform with my HTC Evo for the past year, I thought I would write a short comparison. But I must admit up front that I have been an Apple entusiast for many years. I would have purchased an iPhone for my own use before even considering the Android, but I was limited to using the Sprint network due to our churches contract. Now that the iPhone is available on Sprint, I can guarantee that my next phone will be an iPhone. Since I have had the Evo for over a year, I will list what I do not like about this particular phone and the Android OS and compare that to the iPhone and Apple OS. Single Hand Use - FAIL. Maryland restricts holding a phone while driving, so I am limited to one hand usage while in the car if I am going to obey the law. This phone is virtually impossible to answer, dial, or put into sleep mode with one hand. I...

I thought I would share some of my favorite quotes and happenings from behind the scenes of The Christmas Post musical being performed at our church this Christmas season. The names have been withheld to protect the guilty. From a teenage boy: "I need help putting on my makeup!" From a preteen boy: "Do I really need makeup? Aren't I pretty enough already?" "Does she look old enough?" From a male cast member to another male cast member: "That shade of makeup suits you." "Don't you need to put some makeup on your head, too?" "I am so sick of donuts." From a male non-cast member to a male cast member after he left the makeup area: "You look sweet." "Can you text me that picture?" From a male cast member: "I am going in here. I don't want someone taking a picture of me putting on makeup." "Does this make me look fat?" Yes, even in the theatre you get this question. O...

Our second night of The Christmas Post also went well. And once again the comments left are overwhelmingly supportive. Individuals that spoke to me directly have commented on how professional and realistic everything was. I will list a sampling of the printed comments below. I look forward to come to your church every year. Very good performance. You do a great job every year. Wonderful show with a powerful message. Thanks for portraying what we should remember and keep in our hearts. Good play, but the soldier can't act - love Ashton (Ashton played the soldier and decided to write a prank comment) Thank you. What a wonderful ministry. I appreciate Alysson for inviting me. Excellent, funny, very enjoyable. Thank you for the beautiful message of Jesus. Absolutely Great!!! Wonderful, energetic production. We really enjoyed it. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. Amazing production. Excellent production and presentation of the true reason of the season. Love Oak ...

Our first presentation of The Christmas Post is complete and the reviews are here. First thing, not one negative comment...which, believe it or not, is a first in the six years and 48 Christmas performances that I have directed at Oak Grove. The best news is that four (4) people indicated that they accepted Christ as their Savior tonight. There were also seventeen (17) people who indicated that they rededicated their lives tonight.  Here are some of the highlights from the comments left: Kevin age 8 gave this play ****** out of five The Christmas Post was super! You [shuld] pay them $10. (I think he meant he would pay $10 to see it) Wow! Great performance guys. You were so good! The play had a great meaning and message about faith with humor. Great set and singers. Wonderful gift to the community. Thank you. Thank you for the inspiring evening. A beautiful presentation of the story of faith in Jesus. The message was clearly presented and the performance was well do...