I am constantly worried. I actually didn't realize that I stressed so much until Josh pointed it out to me. For those of you who worry like me you might be able to appreciate these words I stumbled upon from our dear friend Oswald Chambers,
"Fretting rises from our determination to get our own way. Our Lord never worried and was never anxious because His purpose was never to accomplish His own plans but to fulfill God's plans."
Take heart! "Abide in the shadow of the Almighty" - Psalm 91:1
Monday, February 23, 2009
Lent
The season of Lent is upon us. Wednesday marks the beginning of the historic time when people fast and pray before the coming of Easter, 40 days. Just like the 40 days of temptation for Jesus.
Four years ago when I was having a rough go in life I fasted sleep in the morning in favor of daily devotions. Looking back I have never had a more on track, meaningful time of spiritual renewal and discipline. This year I have decided to do the same again. Normally I would be dreading Wednesday morning, the start of having to get up half an hour earlier than normal - but I just have a yearning of excitement that I can barely contain. I thirst for more of Him. I hunger for a deeper understanding of His ways.
Are you lenting something? I encourage you to stretch yourself beyond what you believe you are capable of. Keep your motives pure before the Lord and He will bless your obedience.
Four years ago when I was having a rough go in life I fasted sleep in the morning in favor of daily devotions. Looking back I have never had a more on track, meaningful time of spiritual renewal and discipline. This year I have decided to do the same again. Normally I would be dreading Wednesday morning, the start of having to get up half an hour earlier than normal - but I just have a yearning of excitement that I can barely contain. I thirst for more of Him. I hunger for a deeper understanding of His ways.
Are you lenting something? I encourage you to stretch yourself beyond what you believe you are capable of. Keep your motives pure before the Lord and He will bless your obedience.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Where'd THAT come from!?!
I know a great blogger is one who updates often. I only seem to be able to write when I'm inspired. I find that this rings true in other areas of my life too: school, work, relationships, papers, other work, ministry... A used to call it J at 100% or J at 0%.
Needless to say I'm currently hitting the high 90's.
If you haven't heard, Venice is doing a Faith Pledge. Basically the church purposefully passed a red budget in favor of supporting different ministries, acting on faith that the Lord would provide even in tough economic times. With that said, the church was asked to consider making a pledge, of any amount that would somehow stretch your faith of offering. The catch is the money can't come from any source of expected income. Tangible ways of learning what faith really looks like. I was excited about the possibilities of other people having extraordinary stories by year end. Note I said "other" people. :) Well, two weeks ago I made my own pledge, not thinking much about it.
Today money that I wasn't expecting plopped in my lap. The funny thing is I didn't even think about this until I was sharing with Randy at work and he said, "oh that's neat, it's part of your faith pledge!" I stopped dead in my tracks when I realized I had just been given my first installment of my faith pledge! I've also learned that others in the church have also had the same experience as me. God truly does work in tangible ways, He's not only providing but teaching His children as well. I can't wait to see when the next installment happens upon me. This time though, I'll be watching out!
If you are apart of the body of Venice I encourage you to participate, not for the benefit of the church, but for yours.
Needless to say I'm currently hitting the high 90's.
If you haven't heard, Venice is doing a Faith Pledge. Basically the church purposefully passed a red budget in favor of supporting different ministries, acting on faith that the Lord would provide even in tough economic times. With that said, the church was asked to consider making a pledge, of any amount that would somehow stretch your faith of offering. The catch is the money can't come from any source of expected income. Tangible ways of learning what faith really looks like. I was excited about the possibilities of other people having extraordinary stories by year end. Note I said "other" people. :) Well, two weeks ago I made my own pledge, not thinking much about it.
Today money that I wasn't expecting plopped in my lap. The funny thing is I didn't even think about this until I was sharing with Randy at work and he said, "oh that's neat, it's part of your faith pledge!" I stopped dead in my tracks when I realized I had just been given my first installment of my faith pledge! I've also learned that others in the church have also had the same experience as me. God truly does work in tangible ways, He's not only providing but teaching His children as well. I can't wait to see when the next installment happens upon me. This time though, I'll be watching out!
If you are apart of the body of Venice I encourage you to participate, not for the benefit of the church, but for yours.
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