I love how life has taken on more meaning this past season of my life. I must be honest by saying that I thought my life would look differently than it does. I would love to have been married by now with children. I would have thought my life would have been in what I thought ministry would have looked like.
But...
I must say that I am thankful....grateful... for what my life looks like right now. Ministry is sweet.
I have had such opportunities in the last 6 months that have been absolutely out of this world crazy and amazing. I have reconnected to people that I haven't seen in many many years. I have been able to encourage them.
And it hasn't all been about me encouraging them, pouring into them, taking them "under my wing". Not in the least. It's been about watching my family increase. Gaining a brother. Gaining a sister. Watching friendships rekindle. Being full of awe and wonder at what is God up to.
Yeah, my life is wonderful right now.
Ministry has taken on a different look right now. I am part of a grass roots ministry right now. I am singing background vocals which I enjoy. I am sharing once a month for a few minutes.
I don't know what's ahead for me.... but I must say that being 35 has been alright. :)
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Connection - 20 years and Never Missed A Beat
This weekend was I think one of the most important weekends of the year for me. I had the great opportunity to visit with a friend of mine who I hadn't seen in 20 years. We had met at a Bible Camp when we were 15. I really believe that he left a carbon footprint on my soul.... well the God within him did for sure.
We had a lot to catch up on sure. Life sure has been interesting for the both of us. Lots of good stuff...some trials and tribulations.... fear...frustration..... stress. And yet even in the midst of all that stuff, God is still present and real.
Though 20 years went by, it was like we never missed a beat. Which blows my mind really. 20 years is a long time but I tell you that what a feeling of ease knowing that things hadn't changed in the friendship at all.
I had often wondered where life had taken him and we took the time to talk about everything we could. We shared a lot of stuff on a deeper level.
I was so honored to have been asked to stay in his home and meet his wife and son (and Liberty, the Dog). I felt as if I were part of the family. We're working on another visit soon... not another 20 year wait. :)
As I drove up the driveway to go home, I was overwhelmed by the gift God gave me to reconnect. That's what this whole life is about. Connection. Connection is vital. It's important. We need it. We were created to connect.
It's not about having an answer for every question or a response to every conversation. I think I've learned finally over the last few years that the listening ear is more important. To be there for a person. To let them vent, express, feel what they do. Not to try and change them into who you think they should be. That's not where it's at.
I desire connection. That's what I want in my life. That's what life is all about anyway. I want to be present when they need to talk, vent, express. Here's my ear.... it's ready. I hope I won't feel the need to give the pat answer. If I do, please accept my apology in advance. :)
We had a lot to catch up on sure. Life sure has been interesting for the both of us. Lots of good stuff...some trials and tribulations.... fear...frustration..... stress. And yet even in the midst of all that stuff, God is still present and real.
Though 20 years went by, it was like we never missed a beat. Which blows my mind really. 20 years is a long time but I tell you that what a feeling of ease knowing that things hadn't changed in the friendship at all.
I had often wondered where life had taken him and we took the time to talk about everything we could. We shared a lot of stuff on a deeper level.
I was so honored to have been asked to stay in his home and meet his wife and son (and Liberty, the Dog). I felt as if I were part of the family. We're working on another visit soon... not another 20 year wait. :)
As I drove up the driveway to go home, I was overwhelmed by the gift God gave me to reconnect. That's what this whole life is about. Connection. Connection is vital. It's important. We need it. We were created to connect.
It's not about having an answer for every question or a response to every conversation. I think I've learned finally over the last few years that the listening ear is more important. To be there for a person. To let them vent, express, feel what they do. Not to try and change them into who you think they should be. That's not where it's at.
I desire connection. That's what I want in my life. That's what life is all about anyway. I want to be present when they need to talk, vent, express. Here's my ear.... it's ready. I hope I won't feel the need to give the pat answer. If I do, please accept my apology in advance. :)
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Moving Forward, Reconnections and the Journey
Well I have spent some time contemplating, thinking about God did in my life over the course of this past weekend at the first anniversary service for Forward Church. It's hard to believe that a year ago God began to move upon my heart to connect to the church. I've had an amazing experience, made alot of good friends and family.
This weekend we had two pastors from Ohio have our services. Saturday night was so powerful. It caused me to realize that I can still believe in the dreams that God has for me. I must not let go of the dream.
Sunday morning was just as powerful.
Though I was tired, I felt I needed to go hear one of the pastor's preach at another church Sunday night. Again there was a deep impartation presented.
There was a song sung that totally went deep into my heart and I've been singing it all week:
I'M NOT GOING BACK
I'M MOVING AHEAD
I'M HERE TO DECLARE TO YOU
MY PAST IS OVER IN YOU
This is what the weekend meant for me. It's about moving forward.... to not be content staying where I am at in my life.
I once again found a couple of friends from my camper days as a teenager on Facebook. I find it so amazing all these reconnections coming my way. I believe there is a reason for it.
I'm very excited for the weekend. I am going down to visit with a friend and meet his wife and son. Again another connection from my camp days....after all these years.... it's like we never lost touch.
You may wonder about these reconnections.... isn't that going back to the past? Not at all.... I really believe that reconnections are meant for the future. God has something in mind.... I'm embracing this.
I wonder:
what does the second year of Forward Church mean to me?
what does the reconnections mean?
I'm looking forward to the journey....
This weekend we had two pastors from Ohio have our services. Saturday night was so powerful. It caused me to realize that I can still believe in the dreams that God has for me. I must not let go of the dream.
Sunday morning was just as powerful.
Though I was tired, I felt I needed to go hear one of the pastor's preach at another church Sunday night. Again there was a deep impartation presented.
There was a song sung that totally went deep into my heart and I've been singing it all week:
I'M NOT GOING BACK
I'M MOVING AHEAD
I'M HERE TO DECLARE TO YOU
MY PAST IS OVER IN YOU
This is what the weekend meant for me. It's about moving forward.... to not be content staying where I am at in my life.
I once again found a couple of friends from my camper days as a teenager on Facebook. I find it so amazing all these reconnections coming my way. I believe there is a reason for it.
I'm very excited for the weekend. I am going down to visit with a friend and meet his wife and son. Again another connection from my camp days....after all these years.... it's like we never lost touch.
You may wonder about these reconnections.... isn't that going back to the past? Not at all.... I really believe that reconnections are meant for the future. God has something in mind.... I'm embracing this.
I wonder:
what does the second year of Forward Church mean to me?
what does the reconnections mean?
I'm looking forward to the journey....
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