Year: 2022

Categories
Bible Blogging Christian Church God Ministry Scripture

Sunday Scripture

Greetings my friends. It is Sunday July 03RD 2022, and this is the day that our LORD has made. Let us rejoice. Let us be glad in it. Let us celebrate this great new day of believing, following, trusting, loving, and being more like our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ.

This morning I’ll lead my church family in Communion:

Tomorrow we celebrate America’s 246TH birthday. It’s the 4TH Of July tomorrow. It’s Independence Day here in the U.S.A. It’s the day each year that we go out of our way to celebrate our nation’s freedom – as defined in the Declaration Of Independence – written by Thomas Jefferson – with help from others including John Adams and Benjamin Franklin.

You see our Founding Fathers declared our independence on July 04TH 1776, but we didn’t fully gain our independence until 7 years later in 1783 after over 8 years of war with the British. It was a bloody war – one of our deadliest as a nation. We lost anywhere from 25,000 to perhaps as many as 75,000 American Patriots during those 8 years – in battle, from disease, and as prisoners-of-war.

Freedom costs a lot. This nation’s freedom was paid for in blood.

Sometimes it doesn’t seem that we are as free as a nation as we were just a couple of years ago, but we still live in the freest nation on Earth. Nevertheless – lots of Americans really aren’t truly free. They are not free because they do not believe and follow our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. They believe and follow the world. They say and do what the world tells them to say and do. They are not independent. They are not free.

Christ is the Son that God sent to buy freedom for us when we were still slaves to the law. God adopted us as His very own children. And God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, so that we may call out to Him, “Abba – Father !” (Galatians 4:4-6)

Our God is so rich in kindness and grace that He purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son, and (He) forgave our sins – all of them – past, present, and future. (Ephesians 1:7)

We were once prisoners of sin, but now we are free from God’s judgement. We are free from bondage to sin – because of the blood of Christ. We are free indeed.

Let’s observe. Let’s rejoice. Let’s celebrate – this believer’s Communion – this declaration – of the Godhead 3 in 1 – Father, Spirit, and Son. This Communion is open for everyone who hears me – everyone who believes that we didn’t experience true freedom until we repented of our sins – until we accepted Christ as our Lord & Savior.

At this time – I invite you to come forth to the table to accept these elements – the bread and the juice. Take them back to your seat, and remain standing (if you can). If you need to sit down then you can do that. We’ll accept these elements together as a church family.

Let us take this bread, and know that it represents the sacred body of Christ that was given up for us on that cross. We take this bread in remembrance of Him.

Let us take this juice, and know that it represents the precious blood of Christ that was shed for us on that cross. We take this juice in honor of Him.

Let us pray. Thank You Jesus for that ultimate sacrifice on that cross. Thank You God for blessing Your children here at Living Waters – those who are physically here today – and those who are elsewhere today enjoying the freedom that You have given us. Thank You Lord for Your awesome presence in our lives – and Your intentional purpose for our lives. May all of Your beautiful blessings and marvelous miracles constantly strengthen our faith in You, increase our love towards others, and unify our hearts and our souls. We honor You Lord. We praise You Lord. We worship You Lord. We celebrate You Lord. And all God’s children say – AMEN.

And as the Bible says in Galatians Chapter 5 and Verses 13 and 14:

For you have been called to live in freedom my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead – use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed-up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Don’t let this celebration end here. Keep it going out there. Enjoy the rest of this day that our LORD has made – whether you do it outside or inside. Remember who you belong to. Remember that you are truly free because of what Christ did for us on the cross. He bled for us. He died for us. He rose again for us. His Spirit lives within us.

If you wish to learn more about the God I know then stay tuned to #SundayScripture. The best is yet to come !

Thank you for reading my blog for this day, and may:

The LORD bless you, and keep you.
The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you.
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. AMEN.

All rights reserved (c) 2022 Christopher M. Day, CountUp

Categories
2000s Blogging Christian God Music Radio

My Top 5 Hits RETRO – 2007

Hello again retro music fans. Every Friday I post the Top 5 of one of my classic hit music charts based on personal preference and influenced by radio airplay from either 15, 25, 30, or 35 years ago this weekend (rotating each week).

It’s the 1ST Friday of the month, so I go back 15 years ago. Here it is – for the week ending Sunday July 01ST 2007:

  1. “Zero” – Hawk Nelson
  2. “Cross The Line” – Ruth
  3. “After The World” – Disciple
  4. “Say Your Prayers” – The Wedding
  5. “The Last Night” – Skillet

Skillet. I love them. They are one of the few acts that have secured hits on the radio and on my chart during both the Salvation Era (2006-2010) as well as the current K-LOVE Era (2017- ).

“The Last Night” was their 2ND of 8 hits on my chart and 1 of 5 hits from their huge album “Comatose” – released on October 03RD 2006 – during the 7TH week of my salvation. It was the follow-up to the first single from the album – “Rebirthing” – which soared to # 2 as I was beginning to understand my own rebirthing.

Skillet have been together for 26 years. I never heard of them until I was saved. Ever since their “Comatose” album their music has crossed-over onto mainstream rock radio – particularly away from the big cities.

I’ve seen them LIVE in concert 3 times – in 2010, 2011, and 2018. They put on a hard rockin’ show that rocks my face off for my Lord & Savior Jesus Christ !

Next #RetroFriday I’ll go back 25 years ago to July 1997. It’s when a quirky worldwide dance smash about two popular dolls posed at # 1 on my chart.

It’s halftime my friends. I’ll be back on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday with 3 more blog posts for this weekend. Enjoy your Saturday. Thanks for going retro with me !

All rights reserved (c) 2022 Christopher M. Day, CountUp

Categories
Blogging Driving Travel

Weigle House Museum

Welcome back to #TravelThursday. This week I’m writing about the Charles F. Weigle House Museum near downtown Sebring Florida – located at 1989 Lakeview Drive.

My first visit to the museum almost didn’t happen. It was back on Wednesday February 17TH 2021, and I had just arrived in the local area from neighboring Avon Park – disappointed that the Depot Museum there was closed due to COVID restrictions. (I wrote about that last #TravelThursday.)

So I drove to the local area, and I went to the city pier to hang out and absorb God’s nature on Lake Jackson – a 3,212-acre mostly-clear and fairly-shallow freshwater lake with a sandy beach-like shoreline.

After several minutes of lake-viewing I decided to explore the area just off the pier. I saw a sign nearby leading to the Sebring Historical Society, so I went to the door, and it was locked-shut even though they were supposed to be open. So I walked around to the side of the building (which is actually up a hill and on the 2ND floor). I thought I was walking-in to the upper-part of the museum, but as it turns out I walked straight into the Sebring Public Library !

I walked around the library pretending that I was actually interested in everything there. (I actually was not. As a kid I was regularly dumped at the local public library for many hours at a time. As a result – public libraries turn me off and bring back negative childhood memories.)

I eventually walked-up to the front desk, and I asked the librarian on-duty about the museum downstairs. She said that it should be open. I told her that it is locked-shut. She called someone that she knew who worked there. They talked for a minute or two. After she got off the phone she said that the guy in charge was running late, and that he would be there soon to open it up. In the meantime I should go check-out the museum across the parking lot in the bright yellow building. So I did !

I walked-in, and a friendly docent greeted me at the door. She showed me all around the museum. She was fantastic. After the personal tour we just talked for another hour or so. She lived in Miami for many years, and then she retired to Sebring many years ago. I told her that I’ll be doing the same. I’m getting ready to retire and move from Miami to Sebring. I also told her that I’m interested in serving at the museum. She told me that I must talk to the guy in charge of the Sebring Historical Society on the ground floor of the building across the parking lot directly below the public library. I took her advice. I walked back over to where I started, and the door was unlocked. The guy in charge was there, and we talked for an hour or so – all about Sebring.

What almost didn’t happen on that day turned out to be the highlight of that short trip to Sebring in February of 2021. It may also be the start of some great experiences in the not-too-distant future.

Earlier this month on Wednesday June 08TH 2022 I drove back to the parking lot, and I walked-in to the museum expecting to take a tour of it again and enjoy some friendly conversations with the docent on duty. I walked right in to a regularly-scheduled Wednesday morning “social” with coffee and donuts and several local residents just sitting in folding chairs in a circle and enjoying fellowship with each other. They invited me to take a seat as well, so I did. I enjoyed their company for a couple of hours. It seemed like many of us had a military connection – as well as a South Florida connection. I learned about some of their life experiences / war stories, and they learned about some of mine. (I never toured the museum.)

I am now absolutely sure that if this Wednesday morning “social” with coffee and donuts is still active when I’m retired and living there full-time that I will definitely be a part of this community. I also plan to join the Sebring Historical Society as a member and as a volunteer. I’d like to do some social media work for them, and maybe even take over their blog.

Next #TravelThursday we’ll return to South Florida and Miami-Dade County and a museum in a historic house that overlooks scenic Biscayne Bay. Let’s keep traveling together.

All rights reserved (c) 2022 Christopher M. Day, CountUp

Categories
Blogging Christian God Ministry Music Radio

My Top 10 Hits – Week 280

Every Monday I post my all-new Top 10 Christian hit music chart based on personal preference and influenced by radio airplay from the previous week. It’s the continuation of a weekly hobby that goes back nearly 45 years. Here’s this week’s chart – for the week ending Sunday June 26TH 2022 – the 280TH week of this current era that began on Presidents’ Day Weekend of 2017:

TW LW WKS SONG TITLE ARTIST / SITE
1 2 8 Me On Your Mind
[1ST week @ # 1]		 Matthew West
2 1 20 Sunday Sermons Anne Wilson
3 5 5 Love Is Everything We Need Unspoken
4 3 14 Fill My Cup Andrew Ripp
5 4 16 Egypt Cory Asbury
6 7 22 See Me Through It Brandon Heath
7 8 22 Brighter Days Blessing Offor
8 9 2 Hold You Tight Dan Bremnes
9 10 2 Getting Started Jeremy Camp
10 – 1 Thank God For Sunday Morning Cochren & Co.

# 1 This Week In:
2021 – “Yes He Can” – Cain
2020 – “Keep Me In The Moment” – Jeremy Camp
2019 – “Church (Take Me Back)” – Cochren & Co.
2018 – “Do It Again” – Elevation Worship
2017 – “Home” – Chris Tomlin

500TH # 1 – My # 1 artist (by far) over the past 280 weeks claims my 500TH # 1 smash over the past 37 years (minus hiatus years). It’s Matthew West, and it’s his 5TH # 1 smash – 4TH as a solo artist. When I saw his passionate performance of “Me On Your Mind” at the recent K-LOVE Fan Awards – I knew I was hearing a future chart-topper. Thank You Matthew for such an uplifting song.

♫ Who am I that the King of the world
Would give one single thought about my broken heart ?
Who am I that the God of all grace
Wipes the tears from my face, and says “Come as you are” ?
You paid the price. You took the cross.
You gave Your life. And You did it all.
With me on Your mind – me on Your mind ♫

400TH # 1 – I was just wondering myself – when and what was my 400TH # 1 smash ? It was 14 years ago this month back in 2008 towards the end of the 2ND year of my Salvation Era (2006-2010). Demon Hunter hit # 1 with “Fading Away”. It was a metallic hardcore song about waiting to being rescued by the Savior – straight out of the gates of hell. It was a powerful song for the era. The band from Seattle Washington are still around. They are celebrating “Twenty Years In Exile” with a tour and new music.

This concludes another weekend of blog posts. I’ll do it again this upcoming weekend – with 5 new entries – known as  #TravelThursday, #RetroFriday, #SundayScripture, a special #IndependenceDay post on the 4TH Of July, and #Top10Monday on Tuesday.

Your likes, follows, and comments are always appreciated. Thank You for being part of my online ministry to share God’s Good News and win souls for Christ through His music. I’m also on Twitter and Flickr.

Be blessed my friends !  May our 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.

All rights reserved (c) 2022 Christopher M. Day, CountUp