So, I'm in a strange position:
- Affirmed and validated by a Green Card to remain and work in this country;
- Released by the Lord from a position of teacher and its income, to both nurture my family and work diligently on music with negligible income at this point;
- Living in a 2800 square foot, beautiful home which the Lord practically GAVE us in encouraging us to move here 5 years ago - in which we have ministered and loved and laughed and grown...
- And now feeling as though this home is our Isaac to lay down.
- But He has not yet called us away from this town.
What is the Lord doing? Why has He prompted us so strongly to act swiftly in this - paring down, minimizing stuff, offering this home we love to prospective unknown buyers?
Will He move us from it, or do we simply need to take this step of obedience? Will He provide a lamb in the thicket, or will we pack up our belongings and move them into another place - a place that will become a home in which we minister, love, laugh and grow?
We don't know, and so we step forth, trusting, with faith in the things that we cannot see.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Music Updates
First, we're excited that "Undefiled Worship" was chosen to be used as the song for a new music video being made by the Wesleyan Church Headquarters. They've hired an award-winning film producer, Jerry David Jones, from Colorado to make the video, and they narrowed down the playing field until at last "Undefiled Worship" was chosen. (I was particularly excited because it eventually came down between it and a Brandon Heath song!)
I think the connection I've made with the film producer is a great one, and we've had several good conversations over the phone and email. He's very talented and works with many effective ministries. His heart seems so similar to ours, so we're looking forward to seeing the video that he creates!
Also, the long road to a new vocal album is finally winding down! I'm looking at finishing up the tracking in the next 2 weeks or so and heading into the mixing and mastering stage. Then photography, artwork, and hopefully there's a complete album to share by the end of May!
You can be in prayer for us with how the Lord would direct us with this music. I have recently felt the Lord release me from teaching music, and propel me to 1) invest more deliberately in my family and 2) invest more aggressively in this music. When this album is complete, I plan to step out and send it out to people who know what they're doing in the music business...and then I'll see what doors the Lord opens.
My own heart is be to be able to write, record, minister and share that experience with a band, and even to travel, but I must wait on the Lord for Him to open the doors and reveal His heart. I would never want a heart of pride to overtake a heart of service.
So, please pray as I finish up this project, and then as I take those sometimes uncomfortable steps of putting myself out there. Pray that, if I am to do more to connect with a band, that the Lord would bring the right relationships together, of people with a similar heart for ministry, and who can spur each other on the greater things creatively. I have so much I want to learn and improve in, and I think it takes a humble community for that sort of growth to happen.
Thanks for connecting with me here, and for your prayers. We'll let you know when the album is done, and where it will be made available.
Grace and Peace...
I think the connection I've made with the film producer is a great one, and we've had several good conversations over the phone and email. He's very talented and works with many effective ministries. His heart seems so similar to ours, so we're looking forward to seeing the video that he creates!
Also, the long road to a new vocal album is finally winding down! I'm looking at finishing up the tracking in the next 2 weeks or so and heading into the mixing and mastering stage. Then photography, artwork, and hopefully there's a complete album to share by the end of May!
You can be in prayer for us with how the Lord would direct us with this music. I have recently felt the Lord release me from teaching music, and propel me to 1) invest more deliberately in my family and 2) invest more aggressively in this music. When this album is complete, I plan to step out and send it out to people who know what they're doing in the music business...and then I'll see what doors the Lord opens.
My own heart is be to be able to write, record, minister and share that experience with a band, and even to travel, but I must wait on the Lord for Him to open the doors and reveal His heart. I would never want a heart of pride to overtake a heart of service.
So, please pray as I finish up this project, and then as I take those sometimes uncomfortable steps of putting myself out there. Pray that, if I am to do more to connect with a band, that the Lord would bring the right relationships together, of people with a similar heart for ministry, and who can spur each other on the greater things creatively. I have so much I want to learn and improve in, and I think it takes a humble community for that sort of growth to happen.
Thanks for connecting with me here, and for your prayers. We'll let you know when the album is done, and where it will be made available.
Grace and Peace...
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
What Really Matters?
As life picks up speed, it seems, I am pondering more and more which things in life really matter. Which things in ministry really matter? Which things that I'm teaching my kids really matter?
It matters that I've surrendered to the One Who offers freedom from bondage.
It doesn't matter that this makes me peculiar.
It matters that I invest my life in sharing the True Gospel.
It doesn't matter whether or not I'm employed as a minister.
It matters that I give of myself in the moment.
It doesn't matter whether my house is presentable for company.
It matters that I do all things as unto Christ.
It doesn't matter if I get noticed or not.
It matters that I find fulfillment in using my unique giftings for His purposes.
It doesn't matter whether I get known for them.
It matters that those God gave me hear the truth about sin, the cross, grace.
It doesn't matter if I have the best media, music or creative teams.
It matters that my teens know the Word which will set them free.
It doesn't matter that the norm is pizza and video games.
It matters that I grow ever closer to Christ.
It doesn't matter that my date of salvation in now years behind me.
(He's still rescuing me.)
It matters how I choose to spend each minute of my day.
It doesn't matter what else wants to crowd in.
It matters that I'm teachable.
It doesn't matter whether I've heard it before.
It matters that I love as Christ loves.
It doesn't matter how unnatural that is in and of myself.
It matters that I live in complete dependence.
It doesn't matter that I'm good at some stuff in life,
Or that I'm not good at others...
I can't do anything that matters on my own.
O God, You are my God. Show me your ways and teach me Thy paths. Don't leave me where I'm comfortable, or where I'm serving myself. Break my will and make it Yours. Thank You that you give life abundant...help me not to horde it, but to live it and love.
It matters that I've surrendered to the One Who offers freedom from bondage.
It doesn't matter that this makes me peculiar.
It matters that I invest my life in sharing the True Gospel.
It doesn't matter whether or not I'm employed as a minister.
It matters that I give of myself in the moment.
It doesn't matter whether my house is presentable for company.
It matters that I do all things as unto Christ.
It doesn't matter if I get noticed or not.
It matters that I find fulfillment in using my unique giftings for His purposes.
It doesn't matter whether I get known for them.
It matters that those God gave me hear the truth about sin, the cross, grace.
It doesn't matter if I have the best media, music or creative teams.
It matters that my teens know the Word which will set them free.
It doesn't matter that the norm is pizza and video games.
It matters that I grow ever closer to Christ.
It doesn't matter that my date of salvation in now years behind me.
(He's still rescuing me.)
It matters how I choose to spend each minute of my day.
It doesn't matter what else wants to crowd in.
It matters that I'm teachable.
It doesn't matter whether I've heard it before.
It matters that I love as Christ loves.
It doesn't matter how unnatural that is in and of myself.
It matters that I live in complete dependence.
It doesn't matter that I'm good at some stuff in life,
Or that I'm not good at others...
I can't do anything that matters on my own.
O God, You are my God. Show me your ways and teach me Thy paths. Don't leave me where I'm comfortable, or where I'm serving myself. Break my will and make it Yours. Thank You that you give life abundant...help me not to horde it, but to live it and love.
Saturday, April 04, 2009
Dog Bite
OK...no one got bitten, but I'm afraid our family is getting bitten by the "Bug". What I mean is, we're thinking of getting a dog.
We had adopted 2 cats from the shelter, but have had to send them on to a new home due to the discovery of cat allergies. (Official allergy tests reveal that Scott is allergic to cats, but not to dogs).
Over a family vacation in January, we all fell in love with our "cousin" doggy, Daisy, who recently came to visit, and re-ignited the spark. Our kids are begging us to concede!
Now that my schedule has changed, prioritizing family time at home, I all of a sudden have joined the club of those who have "time" to look after a dog. The thing is, I have never owned one - EVER - and am imagining an enormous amount of work to train and care for a canine family member. Scott has had a dog, but realistically, he won't be the one home with said dog so much.
All that said, having spent time with Daisy, and visited the shelter a few times in the last few days, I am being drawn in. Today I was drawn in by "Girl" - >1 year old Aussie Shepherd who is very pretty, kind, curious and partially trained to follow commands, and by "Pebbles", a 6.5 month old Spaniel / Lab mix, who is a beauty, very good with the kids, and doesn't seem to follow any commands yet.
Oh dear. :)
We'd like a medium sized dog who doesn't require much grooming, and who also doesn't shed a whole lot. She needs to be able to learn to follow commands. We can't afford a purebred, and will most likely rescue one from the shelter. But most importantly, she needs to be kind and good with the kids and company, because we have people in our home so often.
Do you have any good dog stories/recommendations?
We had adopted 2 cats from the shelter, but have had to send them on to a new home due to the discovery of cat allergies. (Official allergy tests reveal that Scott is allergic to cats, but not to dogs).
Over a family vacation in January, we all fell in love with our "cousin" doggy, Daisy, who recently came to visit, and re-ignited the spark. Our kids are begging us to concede!
Now that my schedule has changed, prioritizing family time at home, I all of a sudden have joined the club of those who have "time" to look after a dog. The thing is, I have never owned one - EVER - and am imagining an enormous amount of work to train and care for a canine family member. Scott has had a dog, but realistically, he won't be the one home with said dog so much.
All that said, having spent time with Daisy, and visited the shelter a few times in the last few days, I am being drawn in. Today I was drawn in by "Girl" - >1 year old Aussie Shepherd who is very pretty, kind, curious and partially trained to follow commands, and by "Pebbles", a 6.5 month old Spaniel / Lab mix, who is a beauty, very good with the kids, and doesn't seem to follow any commands yet.
Oh dear. :)
We'd like a medium sized dog who doesn't require much grooming, and who also doesn't shed a whole lot. She needs to be able to learn to follow commands. We can't afford a purebred, and will most likely rescue one from the shelter. But most importantly, she needs to be kind and good with the kids and company, because we have people in our home so often.
Do you have any good dog stories/recommendations?
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