“There is an old story about a man who dreamed that an angel escorted him to church one Sunday. There he saw the pianist playing vigorously, the chorister leading singing, the organist playing with gusto. But the man heard no sound. The congregation was singing, but the sound was utterly muted. When the minister rose to speak, his lips moved, but there was no volume. In amazement, the man turned to his escort for an explanation.

‘This is the way it sounds in heaven,’ said the angel. ‘You hear nothing because there is nothing to hear. These people are engaged in the form of worship, but their thoughts are on other things and their hearts are far away.’” (more…)

Deora Bodley grew up in San Diego, CA. where she enjoyed reading, writing and spending time with her family. She showed her love for children in very real and practical ways by tutoring in afterschool programs and working as a peer counselor for troubled teens. She volunteered with several charity groups, including the Special Olympics and the local zoo. As a student at Santa Clara University, Deora studied French and psychology with aspirations to become a child psychologist. At one point in her life, she decided to take a break from her hectic schedule and visit some friends back East. When her visit was over, she boarded a plane to fly home. She never made it back. Deora died 35 miles from here when her flight, Flight 93, crashed on September 11^th. She was 20 years old. (more…)

The book of Acts tells about the formation of the church. It started in Jerusalem with a small group of people who were dedicated to Jesus. The Holy Spirit gave them boldness so they began to share the Gospel. People were being saved and miracles were happening. However, the Jewish leaders weren’t happy about it.

Acts 5:17-42 says – ¹⁷ Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. ¹⁸ They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. ¹⁹ But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. ²⁰ “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.”

²¹ At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people. (more…)