Church Ministry

Our church is going through a lot of changes right now (we have 3 of the 5 full time pastoral staff all leaving because God has called them to move on to something else); and there is the possibility of the one staff member (besides the Senior pastor) having a different job. The last few days I have heard a few people in our church become and express their anxiety over these changes; and last night it got to me. I did not sleep very good and while I was in and out of sleep I was talking to God about the situation and all the "what if's" in my head. 

Finally God got ahold of me and I realized that while I believe that He is in control I was still holding on to what I do in ministry and to all that I see that this church could become. The freeing thing that I realized is that God really just wants me to throw my hands up in praise letting go of every hold I have on ministry; and letting Him truly have control. When I do this I free myself form things that I should not be taking on as a burden and I let God us me however He wants. Does this change what I have a heart for or wear I ministry  - no, but it frees me form false responsibility. 

God also should me that He really wants to do something different and amazing with our church and in order to do that He has a plan of how, who, and when those ministry positions will be filled. God really wants to turn church in America - and our church would be included in that - upside down; not only does He want to He is in the process of turning church upside down.

So God I surrender; with arms raised high. This church, these ministries, and this community, and the people in it are not mine to manage and carry the weight of they are yours. I am sorry for taking on all the "what if's" and not just doing what you are telling me to do. 

Sisterhood Award

So I have been nominated by 2 blogging friends - thank you Kim and Linn - for this; so here are my picks...

Tammie Cartwright

Jill Palmer

Tiffany Bleger

Jen Kline

Megan Danquah

Jessica Keene

Jinny MacDonald

Linn Saunders

Kim Beach

Thankful Thursday

WOW it has been a busy week, but here we are on Thursday and I am glad to take a few minutes to set and write done what I am Thankful for.

... The warm weather; I am really enjoying it.

... the ability and energy to really clean my kitchen yesterday... it feels so good to have a clean kitchen and it makes my whole house look clean; even when it is not.

... for the fact that my son has a voice - even thought he is using that voice to keep himself awake; still thankful he can talk.

... that Matt's business trip was only for a week.

... that Matt made it home safe, tired but safe.

... that "This is the day the Lord has made." ... even if I do not understand, expect, or want everything that happens it is still God's day and I want to make a choice to "... rejoice and be glad in it."

Big Boy Bed

Saturday we moved Benen into a big boy bed. Here are some pictures of it.

Quotes of Note

"Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God." - Jim Elliot

Thankful Thursday

This week I am thankful the modern age we live in. I am thankful for airplanes and that Matt got to fly to his training and not drive - 4 less days with out him. That we have numerous ways to communicate with him: phone, email, Facebook, and texting. Love you lots babe. I am also thankful for movies that entertain my daughter while she is sick; so that I can get her to be still and rest.

Benen and the Hat

Benen dressed in one of Aunt Tammie's hats and smiled for the camera.

More Adventures of Anna the Super Hero

Anna dressed up like a super hero at Papa and Grandma's house on Sunday. Here is the second hero costume.

Papa's B-day

Anna getting ready to enjoy her cake.

Benen being feed frosting form Papa.

The cake.

Last week (March 2) was my dad's (Papa's) birthday. Anna has been telling him that she is going to make him a cake for week now. So Saturday we made him a cake; and then took it over there yesterday and spent that day. Matt flew to Dallas for the week and some training for work so I wanted to get out of the house and be around other people. Here are some pictures of the cake and us enjoying it. Do not ask about the candles; my brother picked them!

The glasses

So I never know what I might find when I download the pictures form the camera. Apparently Matt and kids decided to have some fun with a pair of play glasses and the camera when I was gone this week.

Super Hero Anna

Anna usually wakes up before Matt gets out of the shower and I am up; it is always interesting to see what she is doing - has done to entertain herself while we get dressed. This week she decided that she was Super Hero Anna. This is her costume - those are her super hero socks.

Thankful Thursday

This week I am thankful for relationships, growing, and God's teaching.

- Relationships: I am thankful that God uses these to teach us so much. Even though there are times it is not fun and it is very challenging I am thankful that they can change, grow, and be worked on.

- Growing: I am thankful that God created us with the ability to change and grow. We do not have to stay in the same place we are today; we can grow and get the yuck out and off. Like gold being refined in a fire; as we grow we are refined by Gods fire.

- God's teaching: Thankful that God uses all thing to work together for good for the ones He loves. I am thankful that He uses all things to teach me for my own good and so that I can grow in relationship with Him.

And some more...

"... that is  the closest thing I know to Christian spirituality. A music birthed out of freedom. Everybody sings their song the way they feel it, everybody closes their eyes and lifts up their hands." Donald Miller, Blue Like Jazz

What is my song; and am I singing it?

Some more thoughts

"I need for there to be something bigger than me. I need someone to put awe inside me; I need to come second to someone who has everything figured out." Donald Miller, Blue Like Jazz

Thank you Lord that you are bigger than me and that you have everything figured out.

Some thoughts...

"I think the most important thing that happens within Christian spirituality is when a person falls in love with Jesus." - Donald Miller, Blue Like Jazz

Lord I want falling more and more in love with you everyday to be the most important thing to me.