Quick Update

I'm finding that I don't have nearly the time I had before to update my blog and facebook! But it's a good thing! I'm really enjoying my position at Niagara Alliance Church as "the music guy". We've started stepping forward with some newer songs, or at least "new to you" kind of songs. Our new challenges are in the form of projection and sound. The Lord can sell a few of "the cattle on a thousand hills" that He owns so that we can get speakers on the ceiling which would help with being able to see the projected music on the wall. Yea, we're on the wall. Or is that off the wall??? Any way... I've gotten some good feedback about me so far. I was completely taken back when I got a hug and was told, "You are a special one." That made me think back to The Shack. Worship leading is more than just instrument proficiency it's being able to move beyond the details and focus on bringing people into the presence of God. I've been told that "you can't worship and lead." I would disagree with that and say the opposite. Unless you are worshiping you really are not leading. It's nearly impossible to take people where we have not been personally. But I digress...

The last time I spoke was January 4th and from that opportunity has come one chance to share Christ and to see one person respond and to be in a position to pray for others who were listening and whom God is speaking to. I'm pretty excited about that!
With that in mind I know my speaking schedule for the next couple months! These are all at Niagara Alliance Church (the website is all of that without spaces and a dot com)

February 15th
April 26th
May 17th and May 31st

Thanks for all those of you who read this and pray. We've had some challenges in the recent days... terrible threes with Joel, bullying of Caleb on the school bus, and vehicle stuff... news from my merchandising job... and health issues for Amy. Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us. Keep praying! And thanks for checking in on this blog. We appreciate our friends, family and other folks that are "just friends we haven't met yet!"
God bless you!
Lonnie

Speaking January 4th at Niagara Alliance Church!

I almost forgot to mention that I'll be speaking at Niagara Alliance Church January 4th. I had thought about a message this summer that I wanted to give... The God Question. I'm changing the title to: The Christ Question and running with it. I know that some of our friends will be there, and some of Amy's co-workers have been invited to come too. I believe God is going to use this message in a very wonderful way. If you are in the neighborhood come visit!

Peace!

Lonnie

Happy New Year and stuff...

I can believe it has been almost a month since I posted anything! After starting at Niagara Alliance Church (see it on the web: niagaraalliance.com ) it's been nothing but full speed ahead! I'm beginning to settle in and really felt for the first time last Sunday that my feet were beginning to get under me! Last Sunday, Dec. 28th I was closing the service, since our pastor is on vacation, and was tying in the message about having an extravagant love for Christ. As I was closing the service I was talking about us climbing into our Fathers lap and letting Him hold us. Just at that moment my son Joel (3 yrs) ran up the isle and up onto the platform. He says loudly, "Daddy I need you!" I picked him up and held him. A collective "Ahh" came across the congregation. Tears were filling my eyes as I considered what a perfect illustration God had supplied for me and all there were there.
I'm reading "The Shack" and found it to be a breath of fresh air for my soul. Joel's sudden appearance at church and me picking him up was just a continuation of what I have been getting as I've read this book. I realize that difficult time and things happen to us, but the love of our Papa never fades... He's always there.

The New Assistant Pastor of Worship!

It's official today! They announced at Niagara Alliance Church that I was coming and will start December 1st to be ready for our first Sunday December 7th!

In fact at the website: niagaraalliance.com in the staff section Pastor Mark has already included me. :~D

Thank you for your prayers as we have been discerning God's plan for our lives and the direction He wants us to go. Please pray for out church as we begin the necessary task of transforming our worship experience (especially the music) to help us target a new generation for Christ, with out alienating the present generations!