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Monday, 30 January 2012
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Currently
The Muppet Show - Season Two
By Mia Farrow, Jim Henson, Dave Goelz, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson
see relatedone
one body, many parts
one blood of many hearts
nothing physical remains
that Christ the head fore'er and e'er shall reign
one spirit, many gifts
one church that sways and drifts
remiss in wind and tide
that Christ would have his body unified
We cry Hosanna, oh my soul...
that Christ would make this broken body whole
one house of many nations
many stones but one foundation
the prophets laid it bare
that Christ the living stone shall be her heir
one builder, many dreams
spares no expense, it seems
the temple is his own
that Christ himself would be the cornerstone
We cry Hosanna, oh my will...
that Christ would build this city on a hill
one marriage, many vows
we're bound forever now
one profound mystery
that Christ would find his bride in you and me
We cry Hosanna, oh my life...
that Christ would take this harlot as his wife...
We cry Hosanna, oh my life...
that Christ would take this church to be his wife...
that Christ would take us home...
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This is a new song... written in reflection of the most recent worship series with Nicholasville UMC examining the nature of "the church." The church is not a building... we are the church! Blessings, y'all.
--korywilcox // www.korywilcox.com
Tuesday, 14 June 2011
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Missouri Annual Conference 2011 - highlights, quotes and takeaways
From Dr. Elijah Stansell, Treasurer, Texas Annual Conference:
Christians should "have a case of the can't help it's" - I can't help hurting with you, I can't help helping youRemember that "Nothing is lost in the sight of God"Generosity is sacrificial by nature
The driving influences for generosity: PERIL - PARTNERSHIP - PASSION
Generosity's master is not compliance; you've got to break the rulesGenerosity's mantra should be "God, I got it!" - I won't go a day without sharing the grace of God.Do our churches have a "discipleship mandate?" That is, what happens after the study, after the applause, after the worship hour?In remembrance of when I was rescued, I have become a rescuer
Are you willing to put your own status on the line so that things might be made different?
From 3:00 Breakout Session - Teaching Kids Extravagant Generosity
Truly look at the definitions of extravagant and generousExtravagant generosity flows from a generous heart
Extravagant generosity forces us to examine our values
Extravagant generosity takes many forms - time, money, service
God calls each of us to the task of stewardship - the ultimate goal results in our intention to become tithersWhen it comes to children: They learn from biblical lessons, adult models, opportunities to practice.Do kids get pledge cards in our churches? Are they taught about stewardship?
Lessons - MALACHI 3.8-12 (first fruits scripture)
Have kids list the reasons why God is not pleased with the offering in this passage
THE FIRST FRUITS were the BEST FRUITSHelp kids understand the fruit itself - use games that teach percentages, portionsWith older kids - don't be afraid to look at the church budget....
(because they will be honest with you about what they see)Ask, where does the church spend the most money? The least money?Ask what does that spending do for the church? For the world?
Use common items to model extravagant generosity... water bottle, pack of gum
Ask how could these be used to show love, to demonstrate giving?
At church, kids should:
Practice offering
Write newsletter articles/journal about their own giving habits
Be directly involved in missions
Be treated the same as any other member. Do kids get Stewardship Packets?
Celebrate their own learning about stewardshipFrom Bishop Robert Schnase (Sunday AM Learning Time)Every story of giving in scripture demonstrates extravagant generosityIs there a story in scripture where what is given is just what's left?
The mix of words is new.. the practice is not
Developing generosity - Our giving helps us become what god desires us to be
Appetite
"Giving fosters a healthier relationship to money"
"We wallow in abundance while suffering from a self-proclaimed scarcity"
We suffer from enculturated discontent
Ownership
How much land does a man require - Short story by TolstoyIs it true that I own everything I own and I can do with it what I please?
Rather all I have is God's and I am a temporary steward...
Intentionality
Giving fosters intentionality
"Writing your first tithe check is like swallowing an avocado pit"
Are lay people willing to talk about how giving has changed their lives?
Witness
Teach and practice
Opposites of generosity:Greed, self centeredness, self absorbtion... we have plenty of people teaching these
Right hand-left hand metaphor: pride driven
Let your light shine metaphor: humility driven
These two frameworks of giving must be balancedNot putting the preaching into practice has a corrupting quality"You can't be generous and general without being generous and specific""God uses our giving to reconfigure our interior lives"
"Giving sanctifies the whole struggle we have with the material world"---------------------------------------------------------------------------------There was plenty more to draw from here, but these are the notes that I took. May we allow God to shape us in the coming year through the words and the messages of this conference! Feel free to comment with your own notes, thoughts, or additions.
--kory // www.korywilcox.com
Thursday, 03 March 2011
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The Official "Gone Forever" Venn Diagram
It has been brought to my attention that some of you may be asking yourselves, "if I back a project named Gone Forever, is Kory going to then disappear forever?" To answer this, I must quote Alice Morse Earle: "Time waits for no man. Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why it's called the present!"
And if that didn't help, what I have devised here to guide you in your decision-making process is The Official "Gone Forever" Venn Diagram. This should clear up any confusion you have about whether or not it's a good idea to pledge your support.
First, you should note the green area... these are people who are already on board (rock 'n' roll, people!). Dually note that in the end the green represents those who will actually be able to GET a copy of the "Gone Forever" CD, if and when it is produced! I must reiterate the limited scope of this project - it's not just about the economics, but also a responsibility to creation (eco-friendliness) and also to my family (closet space)! Of course, I'll always do my best to provide access to a digital album... but the fact remains that we still must raise the funds in advance, lest the music remain unrecorded for all!
Second, you should note the reddish areas... this is probably YOU! You... you all are the reason I'm doing this project in the first place! I couldn't have written all these great songs without your love and inspiration and encouragement, and I can't record them all without your help, either. So, if you fall into the red, especially the deep, dark red (This is prime real estate, people! You like me, you like music, you inspire lyrics as well as melodies, and I know you're going to like the CD... this is where the party's at!), I really need you to step off of the boat with me and help make it happen!
Third, you should note the blueish areas... these are the people who have yet to hear my music! These are the people to whom you'll want to give those extra CDs, or at least tell them about the project for garsh sakes! You can get 15 songs for as little as $1... who's gonna argue with you?!
Finally, you may note the yellowish areas... good for them.
This concludes The Official "Gone Forever" Venn Diagram. Any questions? Is anybody more confused than when you began? If so, I invite you to simply head on over to KickStarter and check out my project. Every pledge matters, and I can't thank you enough for your support!
--kory // www.korywilcox.com
Thursday, 24 February 2011
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What's on the horizon?
So, I haven't written anything in a while. I've been busy dreaming, hoping, praying... dare I say, planning? It's not so bad to plan sometimes. I often put planning and planners down, but under certain circumstances, it is all but necessary to get one's ducks into their proverbial rows.
Lately, I've had a few things on my mind. Haiti, for sure. Plane tickets are booked. Elizabeth and I will be celebrating two years of marriage beneath the stars and among the people of a very different, yet very close nation. I'm pretty sure there won't be cake, but I've been surprised before.
Then there's Lexington, Kentucky. All signals go; it just seems right! There are opportunities for both of us there, and honestly, it's been a while since I've explored my opportunities. There are days I wonder if I've been holding back for too long, so I'm more excited about this move than I can properly express via blog.
But I've also had another eencie, teencie little plan in the works... music-related, of course... and I'm getting pretty anxious about it. I tell you, friends, the time is coming and is now here! But if it's going to happen, I'm gonna need pretty much everyone (and I mean everyone!) to be on board...
"But could it be that he was cast for more than money... to leave his boat and tread upon the sea... oh, could it be that he was made to love?"
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Yo, everyone! I really need ya! So, are you on board?
Details to follow... watch right here, watch facebook.com/korywilcox, and watch twitter.com/_korywilcox to stay in the loop!
Wednesday, 08 December 2010
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All About the Presence
The summer's passed The harvest came The winter's breath It feels the sameOur homes are warm The doors are locked The greens are hung Our trees are stockedWarm homes and cold streets Who will help them? Who will help? Every year, we cry for peace Come Lord, please! Come Lord, please!'Cause we need you now more than ever Like Jerusalem, we do not know the way 'Cause if our theology was better We would ask you here to stay And it'd be all about the presence...We spare our change But nothing changes The bells still ring We buy more thingsSo Christmas comes And Christmas goes We have more stuff And they have no clothesBlind eyes with no tears Who will heal us? Who will save, who will Peal the bells, unstop our ears? Come down here, Lord, Come down here!'Cause we need you now more than ever Like Jerusalem, we do not know the time 'Cause if our economy was stronger Then we would not have a dime And it'd be all about the presence... Is it all about the presence?If God stopped by For Christmas dinner Would he be fed? At least some bread?And if he brought A baby with him Would they find rest Here in the West?This could be our sign Who will tell them? Who will share Our joy and love, our hope and peace? Immanuel! Come Lord, please'Cause we need you now more than ever Like Jerusalem, we do not know our place 'Cause if our community was bigger We would recognize your face And it'd be all about the presence...Is it all about the presence? Or is it all about the presents...--korywilcox // www.korywilcox.com
korywilcox
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- Name: Kory
- Location: Springfield, Missouri, United States
- Gender: Male
- Member Since: 9/13/2004
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Lifetime
