Encouragement 12/13/08

Long time no blog. I haven't had much to say. I've been in the slow cooker for a few weeks mulling a lot of things over. I still don't have much to say except that I came across some encouragement this evening and wanted to post it.

Streams In the Desert 12/12/2008

"Just as old soldiers compare their battle scars and stories of war when they get together, when we arrive at our heavenly home, we will tell of the goodness and faithfulness of God, who brought us through every trial along the way. I would not like to stand with the multitude clothed in robes made "white in the blood of the Lamb" (Rev. 7:14) and hear these words: "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation' -- all except you."

"How would you like to stand there and be pointed out as the only saint who never experience sorrow? Never! You would feel like a stranger in the midst of a sacred fellowship. Therefore may we be content to share in the battle, for we will soon wear a crown of reward and wave a palm branch of praise." -- C.H. Spurgeon

ACTION 2/28/09

Sometimes it's just nice to take a break.

I've had a super-long break from blogging. I'm so out of the habit that I don't even know where to start or what to write. There's been a lot on my mind, but it's all been put in my notebook -- the one with real paper that no one sees. (If you did see it you wouldn't be able to read my handwriting...)

I have been hearing this word for weeks that it's time for action. I still have no idea what action that is, but I do keep hearing that word. Watchman Nee's daily devotional, Oswald Chambers, the Bible, Sean Hannity, ect. -- seems like everywhere I look I'm hearing this word that it is time for ACTION. The Lord reminded me today that we are called to be a people of action. 2 Thes 1:11-12 talks about "acts prompted by faith." James 2:18 says, "I'll show you my faith by what I do." He's not talking about finding our identity in our works, but he is saying that we need to find out who we are and live accordingly.

Hmm... I think I need to mull that over a little more. Find out who you are and live accordingly...

Though I still need to process this stuff, that phrase was pretty convicting to me when I heard it earlier today, because in a lot of ways I know I've just been sitting back waiting for the Lord to hurry up and get us out of here. I guess I've had a "why bother?" attitude. Our culture and nation are self-destructing right before our eyes. That's just what happens when God and His Word are ignored. "There is a way that seems right to man, but in the end it leads to death (Proverbs 16:25)." After what I read today, I realize that I do need to care more and I do need to make a difference--even if it is small.

There was a great quote in Catherine Marshall's book, Christy, about how God is always trying to pry our hands off our eyes and help us to look at things as they really are because He can't begin to bring healing and change until we acknowledge the brokenness and need in our circumstances and our world. Most of us prefer to stay in our ivory towers, but eventually, I think we must accept the reality of a fallen world that affects us all so deeply. That's the first step to change.

Often my first impulse regarding our cultural climate is to want to buy a cabin in the woods with a couple of cows, where I can enjoy the trees and my favorite people and just forget about this sin-sick, depraved world. I realize that is indeed a very selfish desire. God has called us to share the message that has brought us peace, life, and the wisdom to operate in healthy relationships, etc. I really need His heart for people, because honestly, I would just rather enjoy what He's given and hope the rest of the world figures it out. Lord, help me.

Where would I be if He had decided to build a cabin in the heavenlies where the Father, Son and Holy Spirit could hang out and just forget about how screwed up I was. Gee.

So, anyway... I think it's time to act. Still a little unsure of what this is supposed to look like in my life I pray, Lord, help me to not only hear the word, but DO the word. Whatever that may mean and whatever thay may look like. I know the time is short. May we all make the most of it. We are only where we are because someone took the time to share the message with us...

"He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with an everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.

"With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Thes. 2:8-12

Who-Do 2/28/09

Find out who you are and live accordingly.

I am a Child of God.

I am a wife.

I am a mother.

I am a worship leader.

Get creative. The sky is the limit!

We're called to communicate the Gospel in anyway that we can.

Snow 3/6/09

Was that snow great or what? I really felt renewed just seeing it fall! It was a little bit of Heaven for me.

We sledded and played all day for 2 and a half days. We were all so sore afterward. Thankfully we had power the whole time so we could keep the laundry going and keep getting into the snow. It was so, so fun! I'm so thankful for that snow.

We had been planning to either go to Snow Mountain at Stone Mountain Park or drive up to Boone, NC to find some snow. I was so tickled that the snow came to us. It saved us some serious cash. It was a perfect 3 day vacation. Our snow man still hasn't melted! He's nothing but a small dirty blob, but he's still there.

When the kids and I went to Target today they still had huge piles of snow around the light posts. I let the kids climb them even though they were pretty dirty (and wet!) Why not? When are we going to see snow like this again in Georgia?

'puters Stink 3/18/09

Oh, technology, how I despise thee.

...not really, but sort of.

I won't go into all the woes right now, but I've been working with file downloads and uploads and jump drives and external hard drives and wireless network cards and firmware updates and routers and brand new routers that don't work and Protools version 8.0 that won't load and plug ins that won't download and updates that won't update and the list goes on and on and on and on....

Ahh... I feel a tiny bit better now.

Yahoo for Smart Dads 3/22/09

Mom and Dad came over today and helped me out. It was great.

Dad jumped on the bad 'puter and did a lot of troubleshooting and finally got the router issues straightened out and the network back in place. He also installed the wireless network card for the studio computer so I can get it back up to speed and download Protools 8.0. He is a man of great patience!

Mom worked in my yard some and took care of some things that I'm not able to do because of the chest injury. Speaking of which, I started rehab for my chest this past Thursday. That went really well. I really like the PT. She was a great listener and I think the exercises will help. I'm glad to have someone help me monitor my progress and help me determine what I'm ready for and when I'm ready for it. I have a tendency to over do it most of the time.

This morning was lovely, too. Eunyoung called from Korea to firm up plans for Pastor Kidoong's visit. It's only about a week away. I'm exited, but a little nervous about making sure all the details/logistics fall into place for all the folks I'm getting together. We've got 20 something counselors lined up to go. I need to get all that straight and line up 4 dinners and some gifts. Shouldn't be a big deal, but I still feel a little anxious about it all.

We had our second band practice tonight. It was just Pat, Zach and me. We had fun. It was kind of nice not having the drummer tonight because it made it a lot easier to hear and focus. Nathaniel, Zach's son kept us entertained with his drumming throughout some of the practice. He's only 2 and a half and he's extremely talented with some drum sticks. He's very articulate, too. Good job Sarah and Zach!

That's my day, in a nutshell.

Interviews 4/2/09

The whirlwind is over and I'm happy to report that it went very well. We visited Sunday and then Monday and Tuesday were full of appointments, errands, phone interviews and potluck dinner meetings for the potential counselors. Everything fell into place. Thanks, Lord for your grace and help.

Pastor Kidoong and his family and team member were very pleased with the guest house and seemed to enjoy their stay in Athens. We did our meetings there rather than in our home, which took some stress off of us and gave the Koreans the freedom to stay put and just let everyone come to them.

Kidoong and the gang are in Americus right now meeting with the Habitiat folks before they fly out tomorrow morning. His dad is the chairman for Habitat in Korea. Kidoong wants to highlight the founder and his work in one of his lessons for his children's ministry.

The team is firming up well. I've still got some info to collect and a couple more conversations to have before the group is set and we purchase tickets. But, we're closer than we've ever been.

It was so satisfying to see the looks on the faces on the potential counselors as they heard about Kidoong's vision and all the kids he impacts worldwide with his ministry. It's taken me 3 years to wrap my mind around what he does and I'm still learning and seeking God to help me catch the vision so I can stay focused and serve well.

We're just thrilled to get to be a part of our Father's work on earth and we're so exited that it's open for any of His kids to join in! What a good God we serve.