Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Monday, March 30, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Coincidence? or God's faithfulness?
So--I'm going to try to keep this post as short as possible.
As you are probably aware, I am moving to Austin in less than 2 months. (I can't believe how quickly it has come!) All along, I've dedicated a lot of prayer to this process, the decision, and everything that goes along with it. I've prayed that the doors be either obviously open, or obviously closed. And so far, I've had nothing but open doors. I am completely open to closed doors--if I'm not supposed to go, I won't go. It's as simple as that. But I have yet to come across a closed door.
Recently, I had a family member whose opinion I regard very highly, tell me that they were uncomfortable (in a nutshell) with my move for reasons they were not sure of. The conversation was of course a longer one, but I'm not going to repeat it all here.
Previously, most of what I was hearing from my family was "We'll miss you, we don't want you to go...etc" That sort of thing. But this was the first thing I'd heard that I didn't know if I should take it as a caution or not. I consulted a pastor who I trust, and asked him what I should do. Asked him how to discern if this was something I should take into consideration or not--because I really felt as though I had nothing but green lights from God on this move. He suggested, wisely, that I fast.
So I did. I set aside a day (2 weeks ago), a Sunday, to fast. It was an incredible experience. Through this time, I recieved 7 pretty clear confirmations that God was in fact directing my move to Austin. So although I wasn't all that surprised by the outcome--I was humbled, and blessed beyond what I expected. Who am I that my God would come and meet me where I am. That He would show up and speak to me? I was really blown away.
Anyway, 5 of the confirmations were scriptural, 1 was from my pastor in his sermon that day, and 1 was from a book that I'm reading called "God's Leading Lady". The last one I really have to laugh about, because I see it more as God saying to me "In case you haven't picked up yet on what I'm trying to tell you...here it is in plain english so you can't miss it" lol. I still laugh about it.
So anyway, in trying to keep this short...on the 3rd day after my fast (so we're up to Wednesday now) I was thinking about jobs in Austin...and what I'm going to do there...and what I really desire to be doing (which is something with music in a worship setting of some kind) and how, even though I have applied to other jobs my heart just isn't them and I'm not really hoping to get those jobs. They're just things I would be good at--not things I have a passion for. I started looking around on the internet, thinking "How am I ever going to find what I'm looking for on the internet?" Not expecting to, mind you. I started typing various keywords into Google, to do job searches...one idea led to another, which led to another and so on. And then, one thing that I typed in brought up a website which lists church jobs. I also noticed that there were just over 200 jobs TOTAL posted on this website...nationwide. So, I didn't really expect to find anything. But, just for kicks, I typed in the zip code for where Ill be living initially in Texas, and what do you know? 2 jobs popped up. One of them particularly caught my eye. It was for a Worship Director at a small church plant, not far from where I'll be living. I read through the job description, and I just got more and more excited as I read. I honestly feel as though this job description could be written for me. I mean, I couldn't have written it better if I had been told to write one for myself. Seriously.
So--this brings me to my question which is the title of this blog. Coincidence? or God's faithfulness? Is it by chance that I found what could be my dream job only 3 days after fasting? I don't think so. I really do not believe that this was by accident. Does it mean I think this job is meant to be for me? No, I don't know yet if it is meant for me or not. Only time will tell that one, and only God knows. But even so--I have now seen, that the ideal job/ministry does exist for me--and now I know what to look for.
Will I be disappointed if I don't get this position? Yes, very much so. I am already planning in my head how best to do it, what I would need to do, how it would look, etc. But I also believe that if I don't get this particular position, it just means that there is something else out there God intends me to do. Something that will fit me better, or something similar anyway.
I won't go through all the reasons here why I think this job is for me--that will make this much longer than it already is--and remember I'm trying to keep this short! But I will say, that part of the appeal of this job (besides the fact that I already do much of the job description now--unpaid...and I would be paid for these things that I naturally do) is that it is part time. Why is that ideal? Because it would allow me to FINALLY make Mary Kay my full time job! Something I have wanted to do for years but have never had the opportunity. This could be my opportunity. Honestly, I had a hard time sleeping the first couple of nights after discovering this job because I was so excited about the potential for it all.
So anyway, I just thought I would share this experience because I really do not believe there is anything that we as the followers of Christ can do, besides remaining faithful to Him and doing exactly what He wants us to do, to please Him more. Period. If we are faithful to Him, He will be faithful to us--but also to remember that it also may not be what we expect. Even when we aren't faithful to Him, He is still faithful to us--figure that one out. In everything there is a blessing, even when it is hard to see. In everything there is a lesson, either good or bad. But He wants our faithfulness, and our devotion. And in giving Him those 2 things, I really believe that He wants to pour out the blessings on us. And I believe that He will too. Get ready for the floodgates to open up...because I can hear the water getting stronger on the other side--waiting to come rushing out.
As you are probably aware, I am moving to Austin in less than 2 months. (I can't believe how quickly it has come!) All along, I've dedicated a lot of prayer to this process, the decision, and everything that goes along with it. I've prayed that the doors be either obviously open, or obviously closed. And so far, I've had nothing but open doors. I am completely open to closed doors--if I'm not supposed to go, I won't go. It's as simple as that. But I have yet to come across a closed door.
Recently, I had a family member whose opinion I regard very highly, tell me that they were uncomfortable (in a nutshell) with my move for reasons they were not sure of. The conversation was of course a longer one, but I'm not going to repeat it all here.
Previously, most of what I was hearing from my family was "We'll miss you, we don't want you to go...etc" That sort of thing. But this was the first thing I'd heard that I didn't know if I should take it as a caution or not. I consulted a pastor who I trust, and asked him what I should do. Asked him how to discern if this was something I should take into consideration or not--because I really felt as though I had nothing but green lights from God on this move. He suggested, wisely, that I fast.
So I did. I set aside a day (2 weeks ago), a Sunday, to fast. It was an incredible experience. Through this time, I recieved 7 pretty clear confirmations that God was in fact directing my move to Austin. So although I wasn't all that surprised by the outcome--I was humbled, and blessed beyond what I expected. Who am I that my God would come and meet me where I am. That He would show up and speak to me? I was really blown away.
Anyway, 5 of the confirmations were scriptural, 1 was from my pastor in his sermon that day, and 1 was from a book that I'm reading called "God's Leading Lady". The last one I really have to laugh about, because I see it more as God saying to me "In case you haven't picked up yet on what I'm trying to tell you...here it is in plain english so you can't miss it" lol. I still laugh about it.
So anyway, in trying to keep this short...on the 3rd day after my fast (so we're up to Wednesday now) I was thinking about jobs in Austin...and what I'm going to do there...and what I really desire to be doing (which is something with music in a worship setting of some kind) and how, even though I have applied to other jobs my heart just isn't them and I'm not really hoping to get those jobs. They're just things I would be good at--not things I have a passion for. I started looking around on the internet, thinking "How am I ever going to find what I'm looking for on the internet?" Not expecting to, mind you. I started typing various keywords into Google, to do job searches...one idea led to another, which led to another and so on. And then, one thing that I typed in brought up a website which lists church jobs. I also noticed that there were just over 200 jobs TOTAL posted on this website...nationwide. So, I didn't really expect to find anything. But, just for kicks, I typed in the zip code for where Ill be living initially in Texas, and what do you know? 2 jobs popped up. One of them particularly caught my eye. It was for a Worship Director at a small church plant, not far from where I'll be living. I read through the job description, and I just got more and more excited as I read. I honestly feel as though this job description could be written for me. I mean, I couldn't have written it better if I had been told to write one for myself. Seriously.
So--this brings me to my question which is the title of this blog. Coincidence? or God's faithfulness? Is it by chance that I found what could be my dream job only 3 days after fasting? I don't think so. I really do not believe that this was by accident. Does it mean I think this job is meant to be for me? No, I don't know yet if it is meant for me or not. Only time will tell that one, and only God knows. But even so--I have now seen, that the ideal job/ministry does exist for me--and now I know what to look for.
Will I be disappointed if I don't get this position? Yes, very much so. I am already planning in my head how best to do it, what I would need to do, how it would look, etc. But I also believe that if I don't get this particular position, it just means that there is something else out there God intends me to do. Something that will fit me better, or something similar anyway.
I won't go through all the reasons here why I think this job is for me--that will make this much longer than it already is--and remember I'm trying to keep this short! But I will say, that part of the appeal of this job (besides the fact that I already do much of the job description now--unpaid...and I would be paid for these things that I naturally do) is that it is part time. Why is that ideal? Because it would allow me to FINALLY make Mary Kay my full time job! Something I have wanted to do for years but have never had the opportunity. This could be my opportunity. Honestly, I had a hard time sleeping the first couple of nights after discovering this job because I was so excited about the potential for it all.
So anyway, I just thought I would share this experience because I really do not believe there is anything that we as the followers of Christ can do, besides remaining faithful to Him and doing exactly what He wants us to do, to please Him more. Period. If we are faithful to Him, He will be faithful to us--but also to remember that it also may not be what we expect. Even when we aren't faithful to Him, He is still faithful to us--figure that one out. In everything there is a blessing, even when it is hard to see. In everything there is a lesson, either good or bad. But He wants our faithfulness, and our devotion. And in giving Him those 2 things, I really believe that He wants to pour out the blessings on us. And I believe that He will too. Get ready for the floodgates to open up...because I can hear the water getting stronger on the other side--waiting to come rushing out.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
"Here I Am"
My friend Melissa posted this on her Facebook profile, and I thought it was so appropriate. It's a song by a popular band.
"Here I Am" by downhere
Sometimes your calling, comes in dream
Sometimes it comes in the Spirit's breeze,
You reach for the deepest hope in me,
And call out for the things of eternity.
But I'm a man, of dust and stains,
You move in me, so I can say,
CHORUS:
Here I am, Lord send me,
All of my life, I make an offering,
Here I am, Lord send me,
Somehow my story, Is part of your plan,
Here I am
When setbacks and failures, and upset plans,
Test my faith and leave me with empty hands,
Are you not the closest when it's hardest to stand?
I know that you will finish what you began.
These broken parts you redeem,
Become the song, that I can sing
(chorus)
Overwhelmed by the thought of my weakness,
And the fear that I'll fail you in the end,
In this mess, I'm just one of the pieces,
I can't put this together but you can.
"Here I Am" by downhere
Sometimes your calling, comes in dream
Sometimes it comes in the Spirit's breeze,
You reach for the deepest hope in me,
And call out for the things of eternity.
But I'm a man, of dust and stains,
You move in me, so I can say,
CHORUS:
Here I am, Lord send me,
All of my life, I make an offering,
Here I am, Lord send me,
Somehow my story, Is part of your plan,
Here I am
When setbacks and failures, and upset plans,
Test my faith and leave me with empty hands,
Are you not the closest when it's hardest to stand?
I know that you will finish what you began.
These broken parts you redeem,
Become the song, that I can sing
(chorus)
Overwhelmed by the thought of my weakness,
And the fear that I'll fail you in the end,
In this mess, I'm just one of the pieces,
I can't put this together but you can.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
The water test
So, last night I was tested with water. Tested with water? What am I talking about?
Well, I recently joined my local YMCA in order to start swimming regularly. I love swimming, and don't know why I didn't join earlier. But I didn't.
Anyway, I didn't have a long time last night because I had to go to play rehearsal, but I decided that swimming even for a short time would be better than not at all. I got in the pool, swam hard for 15 minutes, and then headed back into the locker room.
I jumped in the shower to take a real quick one. The water was so nice and warm--it felt great--especially since I think I'm fighting off a cold (big surprise). Just as I got my hair all soaped up, the water went freezing. And I mean freezing. I turned it all the way to hot, and it was still cold. However, everyone else's showers were still warm. How do I know? I could hear mom's remarking to their kids how nice it felt and that sort of thing, and I would think that I would have heard something if someone else had a cold shower too. Anyway, I stood there for a bit, hoping it was momentary and that the water would warm back up. It didn't. So I prayed that it would warm back up. And it did! For about 15 seconds. Then it went cold again. I kept standing there, praying for it to warm up again. And it didn't.
So, as I was trying to decide what to do (do I run to another shower? do I stick my head in the cold water?) I realized that there is a lesson in everything, both good and bad. So I asked God what it was He was trying to tell me. And you know what He said? "Do you trust me even when the water gets cold?" I responded that I did, and then quickly realized that trusting Him meant getting INTO the water even when it was cold. So, with gritted teeth I stepped under the spray of the cold water. And in a matter of seconds, it warmed up again. It still wasn't anywhere near as warm as I wanted it to be. But it was warm enough that I wasn't chattering (or turning blue) trying to rinse the soap out of my hair.
I walked out of that shower stall with a renewed sense of calling. Realizing that everything is not always going to be ducky. The right answer is not always going to be the easy one. The right answer is not going to be the comfortable one. However, if I step out in faith-knowing it is the right thing to do. God will honor that decision and at least make it bearable.
I know a lot of people (family in particular) aren't thrilled with me moving to Austin. I understand that, and I appreciate the emotions that go along with it. Trust me, I'm feeling them too. And if it were someone else moving, I'd probably be making a stink about it too.
This move isn't just about wanting to be someplace different, and experience something different-although that is a part of it of course. This move is about doing what I believe God is calling me to do. Going where God is calling me to go. And in that, He will honor my decision to move there. Is it going to be rosy and easy all the time? Nope, in fact I have a feeling some of my posts after moving there might even question the decision to do so. I have a feeling my mother will get more than one teary phone call from me saying how much I miss home and miss my family. It's going to happen, that is a fact. Cameron and my other friends in Texas will probably have an emotional basket case on their hands more often than any of us might expect. I hope not, but it could easily be a reality.
But if I don't do this, I'm afraid I might be missing out on God's best for me. I'm afraid I would miss the blessings that He intends to give to me. And at this point in my life, if I stay in Maine-that is like staying in the hot comfortable water. It would be easy. It would be familiar. And that doesn't necessarily make it wrong, but it also doesn't mean it is the best option. I just want to make sure I'm following God's plan for my life. We as Americans have become accustomed to such comfortable lifestyles that anything apart from comfort is considered wrong, or odd. Why would anyone want to live outside of utmost comfort? Well, as Christians, aren't we called to live extraordinary lives? Aren't we called to be different than everyone else? I'm not saying I want to live in a cardboard box, and I certainly hope and pray that my life is somewhat comfortable, for me, for my family when I have one. But I also pray that I don't become complacent. Complacency in this world is a bad thing, for I am only visiting here. My purpose on this earth is to make a mark for God, to make Him famous, and then to go home to live with Him in heaven. I don't want to waste my time here--because it will go by quickly.
The other piece of this, is that I need to know that you, as my family and friends, support me in this decision. And so far, I have had great support from you all. But as the time draws nearer to my move date, I'm going to probably need to hear more and more encouragement. So, unless you think I'm making a mistake--an irreversible one that is going to mess up my life forever--please just give me words of encouragement. Even if those words include the phrases "I'm going to miss you" or "I wish you weren't moving away" Those are okay, but need to be coupled with phrases like "I understand why you have to go" or "I believe this is where you are supposed to go for now" or "Go Katie, go!" or whatever you feel led to say.
Remember, that I can always move back home again if it really isn't working out. I can return at any time.
So anyway, I just wanted to share this experience with you all, and I hope it serves as an encouragement to you too. Not only in your own lives, but also in understanding why I'm making the decisions that I'm making.
Well, I recently joined my local YMCA in order to start swimming regularly. I love swimming, and don't know why I didn't join earlier. But I didn't.
Anyway, I didn't have a long time last night because I had to go to play rehearsal, but I decided that swimming even for a short time would be better than not at all. I got in the pool, swam hard for 15 minutes, and then headed back into the locker room.
I jumped in the shower to take a real quick one. The water was so nice and warm--it felt great--especially since I think I'm fighting off a cold (big surprise). Just as I got my hair all soaped up, the water went freezing. And I mean freezing. I turned it all the way to hot, and it was still cold. However, everyone else's showers were still warm. How do I know? I could hear mom's remarking to their kids how nice it felt and that sort of thing, and I would think that I would have heard something if someone else had a cold shower too. Anyway, I stood there for a bit, hoping it was momentary and that the water would warm back up. It didn't. So I prayed that it would warm back up. And it did! For about 15 seconds. Then it went cold again. I kept standing there, praying for it to warm up again. And it didn't.
So, as I was trying to decide what to do (do I run to another shower? do I stick my head in the cold water?) I realized that there is a lesson in everything, both good and bad. So I asked God what it was He was trying to tell me. And you know what He said? "Do you trust me even when the water gets cold?" I responded that I did, and then quickly realized that trusting Him meant getting INTO the water even when it was cold. So, with gritted teeth I stepped under the spray of the cold water. And in a matter of seconds, it warmed up again. It still wasn't anywhere near as warm as I wanted it to be. But it was warm enough that I wasn't chattering (or turning blue) trying to rinse the soap out of my hair.
I walked out of that shower stall with a renewed sense of calling. Realizing that everything is not always going to be ducky. The right answer is not always going to be the easy one. The right answer is not going to be the comfortable one. However, if I step out in faith-knowing it is the right thing to do. God will honor that decision and at least make it bearable.
I know a lot of people (family in particular) aren't thrilled with me moving to Austin. I understand that, and I appreciate the emotions that go along with it. Trust me, I'm feeling them too. And if it were someone else moving, I'd probably be making a stink about it too.
This move isn't just about wanting to be someplace different, and experience something different-although that is a part of it of course. This move is about doing what I believe God is calling me to do. Going where God is calling me to go. And in that, He will honor my decision to move there. Is it going to be rosy and easy all the time? Nope, in fact I have a feeling some of my posts after moving there might even question the decision to do so. I have a feeling my mother will get more than one teary phone call from me saying how much I miss home and miss my family. It's going to happen, that is a fact. Cameron and my other friends in Texas will probably have an emotional basket case on their hands more often than any of us might expect. I hope not, but it could easily be a reality.
But if I don't do this, I'm afraid I might be missing out on God's best for me. I'm afraid I would miss the blessings that He intends to give to me. And at this point in my life, if I stay in Maine-that is like staying in the hot comfortable water. It would be easy. It would be familiar. And that doesn't necessarily make it wrong, but it also doesn't mean it is the best option. I just want to make sure I'm following God's plan for my life. We as Americans have become accustomed to such comfortable lifestyles that anything apart from comfort is considered wrong, or odd. Why would anyone want to live outside of utmost comfort? Well, as Christians, aren't we called to live extraordinary lives? Aren't we called to be different than everyone else? I'm not saying I want to live in a cardboard box, and I certainly hope and pray that my life is somewhat comfortable, for me, for my family when I have one. But I also pray that I don't become complacent. Complacency in this world is a bad thing, for I am only visiting here. My purpose on this earth is to make a mark for God, to make Him famous, and then to go home to live with Him in heaven. I don't want to waste my time here--because it will go by quickly.
The other piece of this, is that I need to know that you, as my family and friends, support me in this decision. And so far, I have had great support from you all. But as the time draws nearer to my move date, I'm going to probably need to hear more and more encouragement. So, unless you think I'm making a mistake--an irreversible one that is going to mess up my life forever--please just give me words of encouragement. Even if those words include the phrases "I'm going to miss you" or "I wish you weren't moving away" Those are okay, but need to be coupled with phrases like "I understand why you have to go" or "I believe this is where you are supposed to go for now" or "Go Katie, go!" or whatever you feel led to say.
Remember, that I can always move back home again if it really isn't working out. I can return at any time.
So anyway, I just wanted to share this experience with you all, and I hope it serves as an encouragement to you too. Not only in your own lives, but also in understanding why I'm making the decisions that I'm making.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Worship as a way of life
It is impressed upon me more and more, that worship as a way of life (in our day to day lives) is oh so important. It isn't like I didn't know this previously, but I feel as though I am being prodded and reminded of it more and more. Which leads me to believe that I myself need to become more conscious of this. What does this mean exactly? I'm not quite sure. But I would think that it requires first of all that you give up your own earthly desires and inclinations. It requires that you probably will have to do things that aren't necessarily in your own plans. What am I talking about?
Well, it was announced the other day that Chris Tomlin and band may be moving to Atlanta to plant a new church (A Passion Church possibly?) with Louie Giglio. The comments from people at The Stone (Chris's church) say that Chris did not necessarily seem happy about this idea of moving to Atlanta. That his comment about it was that he does not like the idea of living in Atlanta and likes being in Austin, but that he was trying to follow God's leading. Wow! Talk about living a life of faith! Being willing to go to a place that you have no desire to go, is huge.
I mean, here I am, planning a move to Austin--which is a place I WANT to go, I desire to go there, and here is this guy who is telling The Lord that he is willing to go to a place he has no desire to live. Talk about giving up your life for The Lord. Now, nothing is set in stone yet--they aren't going for sure. They have put their houses on the market and are going to see if they sell and go from there. The housing market is amazing in Austin, and houses usually go pretty fast--so we'll see what happens.
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