Hint: We're not near Pennsylvania or Ohio.

Great a cappella congregational singing stands or falls in direct proportion to the level of participation of the church.  In this setting, you cannot rely on others to do your worship/singing for you.  May the leaders of the church do whatever is necessary to mobilize and encourage God's people to freely praise Him as He deserves.  It's our choice.  It is the natural response of a grateful people.  Though not mandatory, it is only natural, if not inevitable.  Worshiping the Creator is our eternal privilege.  Why not enjoy it this side of eternity too?

What's the longest layover you have experienced at an airport?  I write this while sitting at the Atlanta airport, experiencing delay after delay.

*  Gary taught High School Choir in Crane, Texas from 1986 to 1988.
*  He joined Acappella and worked (both on the road and in the home office) for a total of fifteen years.
*  After Acappella, Gary served as Minister for the church in Corpus Christi, Texas.
*  Gary is currently serving as the Worship Minister for the Golf Course Road Church of Christ in Midland, Texas.

He tells me they are planning a "Streams" with Ken Young on September 15.  As some of you know, Golf Course Road was Ken's former church home.  The new church building project in Midland sounds fascinating.  Here is some of what Gary told me:

Thanks Mo and Sherri for being such a blessing!

But the trip was not complete until we made our way to Pappasito's in Fort Worth.  Notice on the sign that they speak English.  That's a plus.


This chain is really doing well.  They have a Canjun restaurant called Pappadeaux, another called Pappa Burgers and in Houston they have Pappa Seafood.  I forgot if there were any others.  Perhaps a Pappa Sushi?  Ha.

In addition to working with this congregation, we were blessed to spend time with some of the worship leaders from the surrounding area.

What are your favorite board games?

One of the greatest blessings is receiving encouraging feedback from people who have been blessed by music and song.  Here's a message we just received from David Garrett:

I can't begin to explain how much your music has encouraged me and my fellow soldiers while deployed in Iraq. Before I departed, my family and I contacted Keith and explained that I wanted to take Acappella's music with me overseas. Keith sent me a collection of CDs to take, as well as extra copies of the new Radiance CD to give to fellow soldiers. We attended the concert in West Memphis, Arkansas before I left in July 2006. We met the guys and got autographs on the new CD. I took the music with me to Iraq and it started a trend. Pretty soon more and more soldiers in my unit were asking for copies. This led to bible studies, and soon to Worshipping together at the Oasis Church of Christ in Tallil, Iraq where we converted a tent into a place of worship. Both Army and Air Force soldiers were fortunate enough to not only hear God's word in song, but to also Worship in spirit and in truth. I just want to thank you for all that you've done for me, my soldiers, and my family. My son who was only 5 months old when I left is now 2 and knows every song. I am home from Iraq now and currently serving as the Youth Minister at the Ross Road Church of Christ in Memphis, TN.

Your Brother In Christ,

David Garrett
1LT, Infantry

And thank you, David, and all the people in uniform who serve our country!  I appreciate this encouraging letter.

The entire church prayed over the ground on which this building stands.  While it was being constructed, they assigned different members to go each day to pray for the use of this facility.  Jim Hackney prayed in a cow pasture, close to where his future pulpit would be, when there were no other buildings anywhere in sight.  Today, a full and well-planned community exists AROUND their building.  It is great to see what can happen when people follow God's leading.

Last night, we joined them for their summer series.  Jim and Sue Hackney are being used by God in a powerful way with this vibrant church family.  I have more things to share after the flight home.

Thanks to Cheri House of the Farragut Church for such a lovely cake!

I don't get to ride very often but I really enjoy waverunners.  I haven't experienced a lot of boating, but I see how it can be an envigorating recreation.  How many of you enjoy boating and watersports?

We live in G'ville (Goodlettsville) and have discovered another G'ville: Guntersville, Alabama.  What a beautiful area -  which happens to be the southern-most point of the Tennessee River before it turns northward toward the Ohio.  Almost all rivers in the United States flow southward, but the Tennessee flows north.

We are happy to have this native Arkansas couple as part of Acappella Ministries and we wish them the best life together!

Which leads me in an unusual way to the subject of stress.  How much can we learn from people who don't seem to become anxious about situations that drive others crazy?

There is entirely too much stress in my life.  I realize that much of that stress is "self-inflicted."

Do you have too much stress in your life?
Does it affect your sleep, your attitude and well-being and your dealings with others?
Do you "generate" stress in others?  (a "carrier")
How do you cope with and manage stress in your life?
How much does diet and exercise help or hurt?
How does extreme stress reflect upon our spiritual health?

(This is a heavy topic for a Friday.)  I appreciate your comments since I need extra help in this area.

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Today is my baby girl's birthday.  Allison is turning 18.  Watch out universe -  here she comes!
When God was dispensing personality, He gave her an overabundant supply of a wonderful, energetic, kind, loving  and beautiful spirit that makes her truly unique and a blessing to everyone who knows her. 

Next week, our firstborn child, Melissa will celebrate her birthday as well.  Melissa is overflowing with creativity and talent and is another beautiful blessing from God who attracts friends and points them to Jesus.  What a blessing to have four lovely children who make us proud to be parents!  Also, though not in this picture, Allen Brantley makes me proud to be his father-in-law.



You can tell this photo was not taken in today's 100 + degrees of  heat.

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On yet another note, this month I am celebrating ONE YEAR of being Star Bucks Coffee free!  (Is that a special recovery group?)  Gone are the days of my daily venti latte.  My pocket book thanks me.  The lower caffeine is a plus.  Now, if I could only get off chocolate!  (Now THAT would be a miracle.)

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If you are in any of these areas in the next few weeks, please look us up:

8/11 - Guntersville, AL
8/15 - Keller, TX
8/18 - Marion, OH
8/25 - Valdosta, GA
9/01 - Frederick, MD
9/08 - Tulsa, OK
9/15 - Calgary, Canada
9/19 - Morgantown, WV
9/23 - Farragut, TN
9/27 - Newburgh, IN

God is abundantly blessing the Praise & Harmony workshops.  Please pray for Sharon and me as we focus on restoring the beauty of highly participatory, four-part harmony to the church.

More information at my calendar.