My life is currently the absolute craziest its ever been. I am up before 5, falling in bed late, with no down time at all. This leaves me living in a constant tension between great excitement about all the great stuff happening at The Crossroads and near tears from being overwhelmed with work when my heart is in ministry. I know that this season will pass, and life will settle down a little as school gets into a groove, the journey groups get established, and we find our routine for family time amidst the chaos.
All this to say, I haven't had the minutes available to even consider blogging this week. Last Sunday was a superb day at The Crossroads. It was a curious morning at our home. It was like we were trapped in a time warp. The alarm went off at the regular time, I hit snooze, got a shower, got myself and all the kids - plus an extra - ready for church. Then we cleaned up the house, started laundry, and drank a cup of coffee. It was still nearly 30 minutes before time to leave. This has never happened, ever, since we had children. Shawn and I decided to head on down to start the set-up, thinking that it would be great for the set-up team if we already had the heavy stuff unloaded, and they could have some extra time to visit with each other before services.
Sunday we signed up for our fall Journey Groups. We are doing a study called the "11th Commandment". It's an excellent study about how we are supposed to go about practically loving one another. I am excited about all of our people getting on the same page with a Bible study. I think it will be cool and give people from a variety of groups something spiritual to dialog about.
Shawn closed out his message series using "The Book of Eli" to discuss the importance of scripture in our life. I heard it was a phenomenal sermon, but I missed it while I was leading my children's small group. It is always great to be a part of that awesome ministry in our church!
As we come into another weekend, I am exhausted. I would appreciate your prayers that God will make it possible for me to efficiently stay on top of the things that I must do at work, so that I can devote more of my life into the ministry that I love.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
When God's glory doesn't feel glorious
I love being used for God's glory. I love those moments when I realize that I am involved in a plan much bigger than my wildest imagination. It is extraordinary to be in a particular circumstance performing a task or ministry that I do not have the ability, talent or strength to do alone. Then when lives are transformed afterwards, I know that it was God using me for His glory, and it feels glorious. I feel renewed, amazed, awed, excited, and joyful when God uses me to do things for His kingdom!
But sometimes, God's glory doesn't feel so glorious. There are times when God uses tough times for his glory. There are times when what I want or desire or would have happen to make my life easier is not necessarily what is best for the kingdom. One of my all time favorite songs is Mercy Me's "Bring the Rain." I absolutely love the heart of this song, that no matter what, I want God's glory.
I am no stranger to tough times. There have been many dark days in my past, much harder and darker than what I am currently struggling through, but the last couple of years my life has been fairly easy. I am married to the love of my life, I have 4 great kids, a steady job that pays decent, a phenomenal ministry as a church planter, and the opportunity to pursue my musical passions. Then last month my life shifted in the blink of an eye. Closing out week 10 of P90X, I was going down for a push up and didn't come back up. A migraine suddenly slammed into the back of my head, and I woke up several minutes later in the floor. After that, I have dealt with strange and sometimes severe short term memory loss. Things like I don't remember what kind of car I drive to even look for it in the parking lot, heading to work at the wrong school, and forgetting all kinds of important random information like my students' names. I have sticky notes everywhere, just trying to function through my average, typical day.
When I went to the doctors, they began to talk seriously to me about the big things that could be wrong. All of these suggestions were scary, to say the least, all involving early expiration dates. I remembered that God doesn't promise us tomorrow, and that none of us are guaranteed a long walk on this planet. I tried hard not to panic, just to live in the moment, breathing deeply and loving my family hard and not thinking negative thoughts. I have spent more time in the MRI tube than I care to discuss, getting to personally know the technician and his family issues. After thousands of dollars of testing, the doctors can't pinpoint what is going on, but the memory issues continue to interrupt my life daily.
On my last trip to the neurologist, I couldn't remember where his office was. I had no idea whether it was in McKinney, Allen, or Plano. I googled directions again, even though I've been there before. When I arrived, I kept waiting for at least a sense of deja vou, but did not recognize the building, the halls, or even the large fish tank of colorful tropical fish in the small office. I became extremely frustrated that I am losing my mind. In fact, you might say I was pretty pissed about the whole situation. Then I heard that still small voice, "Baby girl, this is all for my glory."
I did a complete double take, stopping dead still where I stood. What the heck? How is this got anything at all to do with God's glory? It seriously interferes with my ability to independently do the ministry that needs doing at The Crossroads. It means that I have to lean hard on my husband and my kids and my friends to help me get through life. How does that bring God glory exactly? How can God be glorified by me being confounded and confused? It sure doesn't feel very glorious!
Well, I don't have any answers. I know that compared to what many people face, a little memory loss is a minor glitch in life. But for me, this has been frustrating beyond measure. Tonight at band I couldn't remember a song that we have sung a hundred times. It felt completely brand new. When I got home, I hit the pavement. Running a little under the stars listening to some jazz seems to bring some peace. Again as I ran, I heard that still small voice, "Baby girl, trust me. This is all for my glory. I got to do this. Trust me."
So tonight, God's glory doesn't feel glorious. It ain't pretty, fun, exciting, or beautiful. However, I am sitting here surrendered. I am willing for God to bring the rain if it will somehow bring him glory. I am simply asking that I am able to serve him with all that I am - with or without my memory! I am hopeful that this cycles through to a successful end sometime in the near future, and that God will restore mind. But in the meantime, I'm still available - however God wants to use me. Even if it doesn't feel so glorious tonight.
But sometimes, God's glory doesn't feel so glorious. There are times when God uses tough times for his glory. There are times when what I want or desire or would have happen to make my life easier is not necessarily what is best for the kingdom. One of my all time favorite songs is Mercy Me's "Bring the Rain." I absolutely love the heart of this song, that no matter what, I want God's glory.
I am no stranger to tough times. There have been many dark days in my past, much harder and darker than what I am currently struggling through, but the last couple of years my life has been fairly easy. I am married to the love of my life, I have 4 great kids, a steady job that pays decent, a phenomenal ministry as a church planter, and the opportunity to pursue my musical passions. Then last month my life shifted in the blink of an eye. Closing out week 10 of P90X, I was going down for a push up and didn't come back up. A migraine suddenly slammed into the back of my head, and I woke up several minutes later in the floor. After that, I have dealt with strange and sometimes severe short term memory loss. Things like I don't remember what kind of car I drive to even look for it in the parking lot, heading to work at the wrong school, and forgetting all kinds of important random information like my students' names. I have sticky notes everywhere, just trying to function through my average, typical day.
When I went to the doctors, they began to talk seriously to me about the big things that could be wrong. All of these suggestions were scary, to say the least, all involving early expiration dates. I remembered that God doesn't promise us tomorrow, and that none of us are guaranteed a long walk on this planet. I tried hard not to panic, just to live in the moment, breathing deeply and loving my family hard and not thinking negative thoughts. I have spent more time in the MRI tube than I care to discuss, getting to personally know the technician and his family issues. After thousands of dollars of testing, the doctors can't pinpoint what is going on, but the memory issues continue to interrupt my life daily.
On my last trip to the neurologist, I couldn't remember where his office was. I had no idea whether it was in McKinney, Allen, or Plano. I googled directions again, even though I've been there before. When I arrived, I kept waiting for at least a sense of deja vou, but did not recognize the building, the halls, or even the large fish tank of colorful tropical fish in the small office. I became extremely frustrated that I am losing my mind. In fact, you might say I was pretty pissed about the whole situation. Then I heard that still small voice, "Baby girl, this is all for my glory."
I did a complete double take, stopping dead still where I stood. What the heck? How is this got anything at all to do with God's glory? It seriously interferes with my ability to independently do the ministry that needs doing at The Crossroads. It means that I have to lean hard on my husband and my kids and my friends to help me get through life. How does that bring God glory exactly? How can God be glorified by me being confounded and confused? It sure doesn't feel very glorious!
Well, I don't have any answers. I know that compared to what many people face, a little memory loss is a minor glitch in life. But for me, this has been frustrating beyond measure. Tonight at band I couldn't remember a song that we have sung a hundred times. It felt completely brand new. When I got home, I hit the pavement. Running a little under the stars listening to some jazz seems to bring some peace. Again as I ran, I heard that still small voice, "Baby girl, trust me. This is all for my glory. I got to do this. Trust me."
So tonight, God's glory doesn't feel glorious. It ain't pretty, fun, exciting, or beautiful. However, I am sitting here surrendered. I am willing for God to bring the rain if it will somehow bring him glory. I am simply asking that I am able to serve him with all that I am - with or without my memory! I am hopeful that this cycles through to a successful end sometime in the near future, and that God will restore mind. But in the meantime, I'm still available - however God wants to use me. Even if it doesn't feel so glorious tonight.
Monday, September 6, 2010
When the Lights go Out
The cool thing about my college courses is that every week the professors post devotional thoughts and prayers for us to read before we dive into the grueling homework assignments. Today my systematic theology professor posted a devotional about Ps. 119:105, "Your word is a lamp for my feet and light for my path." I've heard that verse my entire life. Like my professor, I remember quoting that verse at VBS and even singing the song. Today however I came to a new depth of understanding of that verse. It was like reading it for the very first time.
My professor talked about needing a light at night in the woods as an illustration of the verse. It reminded me of the stories my dad tells of coon hunting at night with a lantern when he was a kid. While I missed out on all that fun, I have been in the woods many times at night. It is a great thing to have a flashlight, and a very scary turn of events if that light burns out. A tiny light can make the difference in finding your way safely through the woods back home or getting lost and confused in the gloomy darkness.
Then I thought about just how dark it was the other night when I came home after a storm and the electricity was out on the entire block. The stars were covered by clouds and there wasn't a streetlight as far as I could see. It was extraordinarily challenging to just find my way from my car into the house. I ran smack into the glass door. Once I got in, Shawn had a few candles lit for me. As tiny as the flickering flames were, it was still a huge difference from complete blackness.
But I had a new thought tonight. I never know when the electricity might go out, so I keep a stock of candles and matches in a cabinet in our laundry room. In life, I never know when I may find myself in a place of great darkness and need to find my way out. If I am in advance familiar with God's word, then I have my candle with me, ready to be lit so that I can see. However, there is a much greater opportunity for me to get off the path if I am caught off guard and forget that light is the greatest weapon against the darkness.
God's word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. Every moment in my life can be illuminated by God's word. Measuring my thoughts and actions against God's standards in his word can help me to find the right path and keep me from falling off into darkness. I realized that studying the Bible, meditating and memorizing scripture during the good moments in life is very important so that I will have the tools that I will need when the lights go out. I need to work harder at being consistent with spending time daily in God's word and memorizing scripture.
When I was in the MRI tube for the 3rd time the other day, I decided that I would go over all the scripture that I knew to pass the time. It was an embarrassingly short list. I became aware of just how little I remember. So that's definitely something I need to work on!
My professor talked about needing a light at night in the woods as an illustration of the verse. It reminded me of the stories my dad tells of coon hunting at night with a lantern when he was a kid. While I missed out on all that fun, I have been in the woods many times at night. It is a great thing to have a flashlight, and a very scary turn of events if that light burns out. A tiny light can make the difference in finding your way safely through the woods back home or getting lost and confused in the gloomy darkness.
Then I thought about just how dark it was the other night when I came home after a storm and the electricity was out on the entire block. The stars were covered by clouds and there wasn't a streetlight as far as I could see. It was extraordinarily challenging to just find my way from my car into the house. I ran smack into the glass door. Once I got in, Shawn had a few candles lit for me. As tiny as the flickering flames were, it was still a huge difference from complete blackness.
But I had a new thought tonight. I never know when the electricity might go out, so I keep a stock of candles and matches in a cabinet in our laundry room. In life, I never know when I may find myself in a place of great darkness and need to find my way out. If I am in advance familiar with God's word, then I have my candle with me, ready to be lit so that I can see. However, there is a much greater opportunity for me to get off the path if I am caught off guard and forget that light is the greatest weapon against the darkness.
God's word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. Every moment in my life can be illuminated by God's word. Measuring my thoughts and actions against God's standards in his word can help me to find the right path and keep me from falling off into darkness. I realized that studying the Bible, meditating and memorizing scripture during the good moments in life is very important so that I will have the tools that I will need when the lights go out. I need to work harder at being consistent with spending time daily in God's word and memorizing scripture.
When I was in the MRI tube for the 3rd time the other day, I decided that I would go over all the scripture that I knew to pass the time. It was an embarrassingly short list. I became aware of just how little I remember. So that's definitely something I need to work on!
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Monday Morning Update 9.6.10
Today is our two year anniversary at The Crossroads. We went full time two years ago on Labor Day weekend. We celebrated with a pool party and baptism at the Collin county adventure camp. It was a neat thing tonight to sit out at a picnic with a ton of families and remember back to our meager beginnings.
When we launched, I envisioned this journey so differently. I thought growth would be fast, and that the church plant would just explode overnight. I thought in no time our house would sell, we would relocate, and all live happily ever after. I knew hard work was involved, but I never dreamed it would be this hard. I love church planting, don't get me wrong, but it's an unparalleled hard job. I have laughed longer, cried harder, hurt deeper, and loved stronger over the last two years than ever before. I love having the opportunity to work with broken and struggling people.
Over the past two years, I have at times done a great job walking alongside others, and at times, I have made huge mistakes and failed miserably. Learning to forgive my own mistakes and keep pushing forward has been one of the hardest lessons in church planting. I expected to learn a great deal about ministry in the church planting process, but I have been amazed by how much I've learned about myself. Church planting has made me deal with lots of sin and personal issues in my life. It is impossible to effectively lead without being surrendered. There have been seasons where I have been good about following under Christ's authority, and there have been seasons where I have attempted to lead in my own strength. It has been crazy to see how much God has changed me over the last two years. I have floundered often, trying to balance work, home, and ministry. I have also experienced what it is like to soar on the Eagle's wings as God uses me to do the impossible.
Our children have bloomed in church planting. They love the responsibility. They talk about how valued they feel and how needed at The Crossroads. They have grown in learning how to relate with other people and how to love during the hard times. They are beginning to understand the value of hospitality and what it takes to make others welcome in our home.
I will say that while the last two years have been incredible and best two years of my life, they have also been probably the most challenging. Keeping our marriage hot through exhaustion, stress, and busyness has been tough. We have had to get very purposeful this year about guarding our time together and working hard at staying connected. 17 years of marriage has helped us to downplay some of the issues that have arisen and to work through new challenges as we go.
Bottom Line: The last two years have been incredible. I at times feel overwhelmed by all there is to do, but I love my life. I am excited about what God has in store in the next two years and can't wait to see where we are then!
Oh - and the sermon was great, and we had new families, and worship was good and all the other stuff I normally say in the update. (sorry, got sidetracked on being excited and reflective on our two year anniversary)
When we launched, I envisioned this journey so differently. I thought growth would be fast, and that the church plant would just explode overnight. I thought in no time our house would sell, we would relocate, and all live happily ever after. I knew hard work was involved, but I never dreamed it would be this hard. I love church planting, don't get me wrong, but it's an unparalleled hard job. I have laughed longer, cried harder, hurt deeper, and loved stronger over the last two years than ever before. I love having the opportunity to work with broken and struggling people.
Over the past two years, I have at times done a great job walking alongside others, and at times, I have made huge mistakes and failed miserably. Learning to forgive my own mistakes and keep pushing forward has been one of the hardest lessons in church planting. I expected to learn a great deal about ministry in the church planting process, but I have been amazed by how much I've learned about myself. Church planting has made me deal with lots of sin and personal issues in my life. It is impossible to effectively lead without being surrendered. There have been seasons where I have been good about following under Christ's authority, and there have been seasons where I have attempted to lead in my own strength. It has been crazy to see how much God has changed me over the last two years. I have floundered often, trying to balance work, home, and ministry. I have also experienced what it is like to soar on the Eagle's wings as God uses me to do the impossible.
Our children have bloomed in church planting. They love the responsibility. They talk about how valued they feel and how needed at The Crossroads. They have grown in learning how to relate with other people and how to love during the hard times. They are beginning to understand the value of hospitality and what it takes to make others welcome in our home.
I will say that while the last two years have been incredible and best two years of my life, they have also been probably the most challenging. Keeping our marriage hot through exhaustion, stress, and busyness has been tough. We have had to get very purposeful this year about guarding our time together and working hard at staying connected. 17 years of marriage has helped us to downplay some of the issues that have arisen and to work through new challenges as we go.
Bottom Line: The last two years have been incredible. I at times feel overwhelmed by all there is to do, but I love my life. I am excited about what God has in store in the next two years and can't wait to see where we are then!
Oh - and the sermon was great, and we had new families, and worship was good and all the other stuff I normally say in the update. (sorry, got sidetracked on being excited and reflective on our two year anniversary)
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Monday Morning Update 8.29.10
Some days in church planting are beautiful diamonds in a collection of ministry jewels. Today we had an incredible day at church. The worship set was amazing. Shawn's sermon was superb. We enjoyed visiting with several people who are back from vacation and busy summers.
However, my favorite part of the day was seeing the new faces at our Peak 1 new member class. I love the excitement and exuburance of new members. It is exciting to see God add to The Crossroads. Today 13 people committed to being a part of The Crossroads. They had the opportunity to hear the vision in detail and find out ways to become involved in ministry.
I had a really tough job this afternoon. I had to hang out by the pool with a couple of other friends and supervise all the kids. It was suffering to have to lay around in the pool on a hot summer day, but I am willing to sacrifice when needed. Seriously, I enjoyed the chance to visit some with the kids. It was neat to watch them practicing baptizing each other. I had to crack up at some of the words they said in the pool. "I baptize you in the name of Jesus and somebody else and congratulations and hold your nose, I'm gonna dunk ya." I had to work hard not to laugh out loud.
I'm looking forward to another busy week. I am swamped with homework for my graduate classes, the kids' sports have started, and first grade is back in full swing. It's a fun life, but the chaos is a little crazy. I am excited about where the The Crossroads is headed. I think this will be a fantastic season in our church's life.
However, my favorite part of the day was seeing the new faces at our Peak 1 new member class. I love the excitement and exuburance of new members. It is exciting to see God add to The Crossroads. Today 13 people committed to being a part of The Crossroads. They had the opportunity to hear the vision in detail and find out ways to become involved in ministry.
I had a really tough job this afternoon. I had to hang out by the pool with a couple of other friends and supervise all the kids. It was suffering to have to lay around in the pool on a hot summer day, but I am willing to sacrifice when needed. Seriously, I enjoyed the chance to visit some with the kids. It was neat to watch them practicing baptizing each other. I had to crack up at some of the words they said in the pool. "I baptize you in the name of Jesus and somebody else and congratulations and hold your nose, I'm gonna dunk ya." I had to work hard not to laugh out loud.
I'm looking forward to another busy week. I am swamped with homework for my graduate classes, the kids' sports have started, and first grade is back in full swing. It's a fun life, but the chaos is a little crazy. I am excited about where the The Crossroads is headed. I think this will be a fantastic season in our church's life.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Drowning
I am not a big proponent of dreams and visions. While I have heard of many examples of divinely inspired dreams, I tend to believe that most of my crazy dreams are just my brain dumping the day's garbage. However, last week, I had the strangest, weirdest, scariest dream that I've had in a long time. Whether it was a vision that God gave me to clearly illustrate an important truth he needed me to hear, or whether it was just a random weird dream that God used to help me see truth, I don't know. In either case, the truth that smacked me in the face is worth sharing.
I was beside a small lake with a large group of friends. We were having a party, enjoying the afternoon. A film crew was sitting up for a reality TV show nearby, and we were watching with excitement and anticipation. They were securing divers with underwater cameras and setting up for multiple angle shots.
Then the crew trailer opened, and people were led off in lines, tied together at the feet, and hands bound. The ages and races spanned across the spectrum. We cheered loudly in frenzied excitement as the festivities were about to begin.
Then the TV show began to throw the tied people into the lake, following them with cameras, broadcasting their death throes on a big screen to the crowd. People cheered as if we were watching a football game. As babies struggled and moms gagged, we laughed and slapped each other on the back.
I startled awake, shaken by the violence and the graphic nature of the dream. I stumbled into the bathroom for a drink, trying to dismiss the dream as just a freaky crazy dream. It was 3:36 when I laid back down in bed and heard God speak to my spirit.
"People around the world are drowning in desperation. They are drowning in sin, in poverty, in hunger, in slavery, in chaos, in war, in disease, in abuse. Most of the church is content to watch from a distance and enjoy their parties and their wealth. What about you?"
Whoa. That was tough. Wow. Ouch.
I walked away from that moment reminded that I am a missionary. Right here, right now. I can use today to speak truth over friends, minister to those in pain, and love the unloved. Today is my opportunity to make a difference. Making a difference may require sacrifice of comfort, wealth, and time on my part. Ministry matters.
I am burdened for and praying about the American Church. I am asking God to consume us all with passion for the "least of these" and create in us a desire and an ability and a knowledge of how to make a difference. And that we would act. Now. While the time is here.
I know this one is heavy, I know that tonight I'm supposed to do a Monday Morning update. But this is the blog that I have been greatly burdened to share, if nothing else just to remind myself that the world's needs are much bigger and much more important than all the stuff I try to accumulate. Watch for the Monday Morning Update soon. I have school tomorrow, so maybe on Tuesday.
I was beside a small lake with a large group of friends. We were having a party, enjoying the afternoon. A film crew was sitting up for a reality TV show nearby, and we were watching with excitement and anticipation. They were securing divers with underwater cameras and setting up for multiple angle shots.
Then the crew trailer opened, and people were led off in lines, tied together at the feet, and hands bound. The ages and races spanned across the spectrum. We cheered loudly in frenzied excitement as the festivities were about to begin.
Then the TV show began to throw the tied people into the lake, following them with cameras, broadcasting their death throes on a big screen to the crowd. People cheered as if we were watching a football game. As babies struggled and moms gagged, we laughed and slapped each other on the back.
I startled awake, shaken by the violence and the graphic nature of the dream. I stumbled into the bathroom for a drink, trying to dismiss the dream as just a freaky crazy dream. It was 3:36 when I laid back down in bed and heard God speak to my spirit.
"People around the world are drowning in desperation. They are drowning in sin, in poverty, in hunger, in slavery, in chaos, in war, in disease, in abuse. Most of the church is content to watch from a distance and enjoy their parties and their wealth. What about you?"
Whoa. That was tough. Wow. Ouch.
I walked away from that moment reminded that I am a missionary. Right here, right now. I can use today to speak truth over friends, minister to those in pain, and love the unloved. Today is my opportunity to make a difference. Making a difference may require sacrifice of comfort, wealth, and time on my part. Ministry matters.
I am burdened for and praying about the American Church. I am asking God to consume us all with passion for the "least of these" and create in us a desire and an ability and a knowledge of how to make a difference. And that we would act. Now. While the time is here.
I know this one is heavy, I know that tonight I'm supposed to do a Monday Morning update. But this is the blog that I have been greatly burdened to share, if nothing else just to remind myself that the world's needs are much bigger and much more important than all the stuff I try to accumulate. Watch for the Monday Morning Update soon. I have school tomorrow, so maybe on Tuesday.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Monday Morning Update 8-16-10
Sunday is my favorite day of the week. Two years and counting in the church plant, and I still love serving at The Crossroads. The first year was exciting. Everything was brand new, we were just getting off the ground. The hardest part of the first year was the labor intensive set up and tear down every weekend with a small team of workers. The second year has been intense in other ways. While the set up and take down is significantly easier at the elementary school, other challenges have arisen. We have dealt with a lot of pain this year, whether broken marriages, difficulty raising kids, or relationship problems with other adults. I have many times wished that I had experience as a counselor and much greater wisdom than I currently possess. The second year has been more exhausting as we try to lead multiple journey groups and create meaningful relationships with new people, all while maintaining a strong marriage and raising 4 kids. The time that we put into the church plant is much greater than it was the first year.
But every Sunday morning when I step up onto the stage, I am grateful for every late night, every early morning, and every weekend dedicated to ministry. When I stand on the stage and watch our people worship, I am awed that I get to be a part of changing lives. It is exciting and rewarding. I love that God has done bigger and better things at The Crossroads than I imagined. My dreams were awesome, but God is bigger than my dreams!
Shawn brought it today as he preached his second sermon in the "God at the Movies" series. He preached about choices, using the movie "Twilight:Eclipse". He talked about the importance of making wise choices based on things like unselfish love and eternal value. He also talked about the importance of recognizing that Christ is the ultimate love of your life. You cannot find complete fulfillment in another being - even a vampire.
Tonight marks the close my busiest summer on record. I am disappointed that I did not have more time with my family, but the money from teaching summer school has definitely come in handy. I had a long list of goals to accomplish, that never happened - learning to play blues, learning to play the guitar, upping my mileage on my runs, writing a couple of Bible studies, painting the living room ..... Nevertheless, school is here, ready or not. I have to get my mind in gear and get prepped for my 22 students! I'd appreciate your prayers as we face a new year, still commuting. Pray that I would use that time wisely to pray with my children and grow them spiritually, to listen to their hearts, and to love them beyond their highest expectations. I would also appreciate your prayers as I go to see a neurologist on Thursday about the nasty bad migraines. I am hopeful that we will find relief, and my life will greatly improve!
I appreciate my readers who make this post a regular stop on their Monday morning. I know that you are busy people with big things to accomplish. However, I am deeply moved that you choose to read my rambling randomness and pray for our family and our ministry. Thank you!
But every Sunday morning when I step up onto the stage, I am grateful for every late night, every early morning, and every weekend dedicated to ministry. When I stand on the stage and watch our people worship, I am awed that I get to be a part of changing lives. It is exciting and rewarding. I love that God has done bigger and better things at The Crossroads than I imagined. My dreams were awesome, but God is bigger than my dreams!
Shawn brought it today as he preached his second sermon in the "God at the Movies" series. He preached about choices, using the movie "Twilight:Eclipse". He talked about the importance of making wise choices based on things like unselfish love and eternal value. He also talked about the importance of recognizing that Christ is the ultimate love of your life. You cannot find complete fulfillment in another being - even a vampire.
Tonight marks the close my busiest summer on record. I am disappointed that I did not have more time with my family, but the money from teaching summer school has definitely come in handy. I had a long list of goals to accomplish, that never happened - learning to play blues, learning to play the guitar, upping my mileage on my runs, writing a couple of Bible studies, painting the living room ..... Nevertheless, school is here, ready or not. I have to get my mind in gear and get prepped for my 22 students! I'd appreciate your prayers as we face a new year, still commuting. Pray that I would use that time wisely to pray with my children and grow them spiritually, to listen to their hearts, and to love them beyond their highest expectations. I would also appreciate your prayers as I go to see a neurologist on Thursday about the nasty bad migraines. I am hopeful that we will find relief, and my life will greatly improve!
I appreciate my readers who make this post a regular stop on their Monday morning. I know that you are busy people with big things to accomplish. However, I am deeply moved that you choose to read my rambling randomness and pray for our family and our ministry. Thank you!
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