Working For 'The Man'

The other day I was leaving a friend's house, and as I was walking out the door I jokingly commented "gotta get home now, workin' for the man in the morning!...oh wait, I DO work for THE MAN!". We all started cracking up because, well, I do! This wonderful opportunity working for my church has already offered more than I ever thought possible from a J-O-B. It's only been 2 months and I've already discovered:

1. Fulfillment: I'm working towards something I believe in, and I'm helping others achieve purpose and a better life.
   
2. Love: This is an answer to prayer really. I wanted to understand how to love others as Jesus does. Essentially shaping my heart to be more like His. I'm learning this and seeing it in action and experiencing the overflow of love our church has for others lives. AND it's not a superficial love! These people all genuinely CARE about each other, and I in turn care about each of them! There can't be many work-places out there that are like this.

Working for "The Man" has turned out to be one of the best decisions I've made yet. I know over the months to come there will be lots of personal and spiritual growth, and my work/church family will walk with me every step of the way showering me with encouragement.

Thank you Lord for bringing this opportunity into my life!

Worship in a God Beam

Have you ever seen those "God Beams" as I call them, rays of sunlight pouring from beautiful fluffy clouds? They are just beautiful rays of light that seem to shoot down from the heavens and touch pieces of the earth. Well, today's worship felt like just one of those "God Beams" was reaching from heaven and enveloping me, embracing me with God's love and comfort. Ahhh, what a refreshing breath of air.

I hope and wish that everyone could experience that at least once in their lives. Just that experience alone is proof enough that God does exist, he loves us, cares for us, and can talk with us if we would just chill out and listen. I encourage you believers that struggle with worship or don't see the point of it to try this out next time- Close your eyes, sing, let go of your worries in this moment and FOCUS on God. Visualize that you are looking at him face-to-face singing these beautiful words to HIM! You will feel his love surround you, his peace taking that stress off your shoulders, butterflies going crazy inside. Just try it. You will be amazed and in awe of what you will experience and worship will never be boring again!

Thank you Lord for giving us your Holy Spirit to guide us and remind us of your presence in our lives. Thank you for all you do for us, your provision, your grace, blessings, and your love. You are amazing!

Encountering Your Future

Do you remember the days when you were younger and all you had was the future? You would spend hours dreaming of all the great things you would do, how you would help others and the world around you. In school teachers would ask "What do you want to be when you grow up?" I remember answering that based on my passions at that time. I wanted to be an archeologist, yet more specifically an Egyptologist. I loved the adventure of digging up history and culture. These were people's lives. I would spend hours in my room studying Egyptian hieroglyphics, customs, religion and their stories in fascination.

At what point do we stray from these dreams and passions? When was it that I had to be something practical? Did I choose my future to make someone else's life easier? I think for me I made those choices perhaps to please others, but also because I didn't know yet what would make me happy. I'm still struggling with finding what makes me truly happy. I must say, though, that over the past year of discovering who I am, I have come closer to finding my answer than ever.

Do those things that determine our happiness change as we grow older too? Will the things that make me happy right now fade away? I think so. I know that certain things from my childhood that made me happy wouldn't bring me the same excitement today. Life is a constantly changing and morphing journey that keeps us on our toes. Though sometimes that may seem like an undesirable way to live, I couldn't imagine it any other way. How dull it would be without the constant flux!

I will continue living knowing that all I've encountered along my path and all the choices I've made ultimately shape me and make up my life's legacy. I think my new question will not be "What do I want to be when I grow up", rather "What do I want my legacy to be?" How would you answer that question?

Do you have the guts to do it?

So today I tried out my church's newest service location- at a movie theater. I have to tell you that I was a little skeptical prior to going, but WOW! What a spirit filled worship service and a great sermon! I wanted to share what I learned today, as I believe that it totally applies to my life and some of the perceptions that I have held about myself as of late.

First off, the verse that started today's message:

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- Mark 5:3

I've always just skimmed through this section of the bible. Been to a few sermons that covered the beattitudes, but not like this. Let me explain...

I know my calling is to be a missionary, going overseas somewhere at sometime. I had my first experience doing this in Louisiana. Staying stateside was a great first trip, as I learned lots of things that are best to learn in a similar culture and same language. Some examples- staying in close quarters with the same people day in and day out, limited niceties such as showers, spare time, good food, etc. I am planning on being in a leadership role in a mission trip to Poland next year. I will be going with some Senior High students as a chaperon. Lately I have been doubting my qualifications for going and playing such a role. I mean, what do I really know? How could I really be a good missionary if I'm not even really comfortable praying with those I hardly know?

Those doubts were squashed this morning. The verse of Matthew 5:3 helped with that. Those who are poor in spirit-those that come to the realization that you don't need to do good deeds, follow each commandment, all the laws, etc to be saved and get to heaven. Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice that continuously washes our sins away. We never deserved to have such mercy. Even the first people that God created SINNED! It is part of our nature. So once we realize that we aren't in control of our salvation, that no matter what we do, God has the ultimate and final say as to whether we get to join him. Thankfully, He loves us unconditionally and as long as we believe in Jesus, the Lord, we will be able to join him.

The second message I gleaned from today's sermon was a testimony given by the youth pastor. His was a story that recently happened to him regarding a very cool miracle that took place. He made us realize that EACH of us are vessels for God to do miracles through. Miracles didn't stop once Jesus left the earth. They continue each and every day. All He needs is for you to have the faith, and the GUTS to act according to His will. If you have faith and guts, then miracle CAN and WILL happen! Amazing! So, next time you doubt yourself, pray and listen to God so he can work through you and bless those around you that need it.

Life Happens

Lately I have been discovering what life is. Some get more of it than others, some people have a more pleasant experience than others, some seem to understand it more than others. I have been learning to treasure each moment more, stressing a little less and appreciating all the little quirks that make life that much more interesting.

I've always had an idea of how I wanted my life to go. What I never took into account is how to actually make that happen AND be able survive at the same time (i.e. pay bills, taxes, food, housing, etc). Right now I think of life as this game you play; saving money, spending money, going through trials, perhaps pressing the restart button a few times and in the end the game is over. So how can I make this life right now meaningful to me and to others? How can I learn as much as I can before it's over? How can I make a difference? I guess I'll always be learning the answers to those questions. Right now all I can do is try my best to continue on in this game and see what's going to pop out at me around the next corner.