BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Samford University's School of the Arts has created a choral music series that formally combines the university's sacred spaces and Christian mission with several musical ensembles.

Inspired by the ancient practice of monastic prayer, the Samford Choral Vespers Series is an opportunity to experience exceptional choral music through contemplative worship.  

The first of seven services--this one featuring the A Cappella Choir--will be Friday, Sept. 30 at 5:30 p.m. in Hodges Chapel. 

Other services in fall and spring will feature University Chorale, music faculty and the Samford Baroque Ensemble. The Vespers services will alternate between the university's Hodges Chapel and Reid Chapel. 

"The events aren't concerts--they are designed as worship services," said Dr. Philip Copeland, Director of Samford's A Cappella Choir. "During these services, we will incorporate some ancient practices in a modern setting that focuses on prayer, liturgy, and song."

Dr. Eric Mathis, who coordinates Samford's new Worship Leadership minor, said the series will add a unique new element to a university community already rich in worship opportunities. He said the series--"rooted deeply in the tradition of monastic and cathedral prayer"--will join Reformed University Fellowship, Shiloh, Rain, Campus Outreach, and Tuesday convocations as a way for the university and local community to explore and celebrate faith. 

All of the Choral Vespers Series events are free-of-charge and open to the public.

Reprint Compliments of Men At The Cross By Joe White

Matthew 24:3-5

“3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” 4 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many.”


I travel and recruit Christian athletes for our sports camps as a profession. I agree with Chuck Swindoll who says that, "Happiness is seeing anything but home in the rear view mirror of my car." To put it flatly, I hate leaving home. But, alas, I'm on the road 40-50 days a year. Now, there's nothing special about the real estate my home occupys, but my wife and four kids have been the strongest magnet I've ever known. Those five magnets drew my heart home from a recruiting trip like honey draws bees to the hive. I'd drive a million miles if that's what it took to get home to be there when my kids woke-up in the morning. When they were small, sometimes after I'd been gone a week or two, I'd come home to "Daddy's home" and "Welcome Home Dad" banners and posters strung all over the house. More often than now, I came home with little gifts for all the kids ... a pack of baseball cards, a Precious Moments doll, an N.B.A. T-shirt. "Dad, what did you bwing me?" four-year-old Cooper would always enunciate with his childhood language of love.

images/Blog Images/show/uk4i" src=" " alt=" " />"I brought you ... me!" I'd reply.

"I know dat, Dad, but what did you really bwing me?"

Late one night, I arrived at my door after a week of travel away from home to find one of my little girls asleep with her blanket by the front door, so I wouldn't miss her when I first walked in. I wept with joy inside as I picked her up and carried her to the room, cuddled as lovingly to my chest as I could possibly hold her.

If my homecomings were that much fun, how incredible do you think the final homecoming when the real "Daddy's home" will be?


QUESTIONS:
1. How do you know that Jesus will include you when He returns to earth? (Hint: Good dads never forget their kids!)
2. Why do you think He's coming back someday?
3. When do you think it will be?

LIFELINE:
Help your family get ready!

Reprint Compliments of Men At The Cross By Joe White

Matthew 23:25-27

25 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. 27 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean.’[b

My brothers and I were always so excited when it came time to paint our Texas home every five years. (NOT!) But, Dad said, "Do it boys" ... so, we sluggishly dipped our brushes, told our friends we'd play baseball later, and we'd make our house shine like new. Mowing the grass, weeding the flower bed, painting the house and watering the trees ... the yard was our job with Dad. Our house looked good on the outside. But inside, it was everybody's job to make the home a happy place to live and a place that honored God in every way.

images/Blog Images/show/uk4i" src=" " alt=" " />Did the inside view always look as good as the outside view? Not always. Definitely not always. But, rest assured God isn't nearly as concerned about the length of the grass in the front yard or the shade of the paint on the front door as He is the length of our arguments or the shades of gray in our heart.

Cleaning up the inside of the home is a daily job. It happens as we get on our knees at night and truly forgive those who've let us down. It happens as we say, "I'm sorry" and determine to follow Christ more diligently tomorrow.

Painting the house and mowing the lawn are great ways to polish our houses, but painting the walls of our heart and cutting the bitterness out of our minds is a greater way to polish our lives.


QUESTIONS:
1. What can I do today to help beautify the outside of my home?
2. What can I do today to help beautify the inside of my home?

LIFELINE:
A family working together can have a beautiful home whether you drive by on the street or stop by for dinner.

Reprint Compliments of Men At The Cross By Joe White

Matthew 23:1-3

A Warning Against Hypocrisy

1 “Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2 “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.’[b

An American president pushed a law encouraging thousands of unnecessary abortions as he speaks on television of our nation's need to spend more money to fight crime.

A big brother boasts of his great accomplishments in football as he buys his little brother beer for a Saturday night party.

A father punishes a child for cheating on a test while he cheats on his tax report to the I.R.S.

images/Blog Images/show/uk4i" src=" " alt=" " /> A mom scolds a child for talking back at the kitchen table while she dominated the dad and insubordinates his authority at home.

They party on Saturday and carry their Bibles to Sunday school.

Hypocrisy ... it's the antithesis of leadership. It's confusing, misleading and destructive.

Leadership is consistent. The one you follow is the one you trust. Jesus always did what he said and condemned those who didn't.

Then He dared to forgive our inconsistencies.

QUESTIONS:
1. Who are you a leader to?
2. How can you demonstrate consistent leadership?
3. Who are you following? What kind of a leader is he/she?

LIFELINE:
Home is the place to forgive inconsistencies and where we strive to be more consistent.

Reprint Compliments of Men At The Cross By Joe White

Matthew 22:35-39

35 “One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

Plain and simple, it's the key to happiness. Jesus made it so easy to understand. "You wanna enjoy life? Put God first. You wanna enjoy it greatly? Put others second. You wanna enjoy it to the max? Put yourself third. At our sports camps, we call it, "I'm Third." It's our motto. It works in homes better than anywhere.

Johnny Ferrier was a longtime family friend who chose to guide his crippled Air National Guard jet into a backyard garden in the center of a heavily populated suburb injuring no one but himself instead of bailing out for personal safety and killing many innocent civilians. He was "I'm Third" to the last breath.

images/Blog Images/show/uk4i" src=" " alt=" " />God rules, no doubt. Allowing Him to rule my priorities is what puts Him first.

Loving others, serving others, putting their needs first, is what makes others second.

Loving yourself, treating your body as a temple of the Holy Spirit, not putting alcohol or drugs into it, not filling your eyes or ears with impure sights and sounds is what makes yourself third

Jesus - Others - Yourself -- that spells joy. It also is the simplest formula for a truly happy home.

QUESTIONS:
1. What does putting "God first" mean to you?
2. What are some specific ways you can practice "I'm Third" today?
3. Who are a couple of people you need to be more "I'm Third" with?

LIFELINE:
An "I'm Third" home is a great place to live.