Today's Church

Came across this today: http://www.alittleleaven.com/2009/01/purpose-driven-hireling.html

Fascinating.

Viola Therapy

"When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade." This was part of a conversation I had with a colleague today as I related my discouragement and frustration over a situation I am dealing with at school. I am so discouraged by the lack of support from the administration in one of my buildings....it's to the point where there is a rather large part of me that is ready to be out of the public school system. While I enjoy working with the students, working with other teachers, parents and principals can be exasperating.

Anyways, after shoveling slush off the driveway, and then later recovering from the effort put into shoveling, I decided to get out my viola. Haven't played for awhile and I had forgotten how therapeutic playing is. As I was playing through a couple of hymns I am considering playing at church, I came to the realization that simple is sometimes the best. There is something wonderful about playing a simple hymn while taking the time to make each note sound its best. As a musician, I think we tend to get carried away turning hymn arrangements into virtuosic pieces. Is what I am playing for the Lord or is the focus on me and how "good" of a musician I am. While I agree that we should share the gifts that the Lord has given us in the area of music, I think we need to be careful about mixing the world's ideal of musicianship with the Lord's.

In the chaotic craziness that is my life right now, I long for a season where life is simple and uncluttered. How I will get there I have no idea. But it is comforting knowing in the midst of the chaos the Lord just wants me to have a simple, childlike faith--in His eyes, that is what is beautiful. Perhaps that is why I am drawn to the beauty of playing a simple hymn on a solo instrument (preferably a viola....yes, I am biased).

NOTHING TO DO BUT SAVE SOULS

I was cleaning out my inbox and came across this quote. It is a good reminder for myself as we begin a new year.

"You have nothing to do but to save souls. Therefore spend and be spent in this work. And go always, not only to those that want you, but to those that want you most. Observe: It is not your business to preach so many times, and to take care of this or that society; but to save as many souls as you can; to bring them to repentance, and with all your power to build them up in holiness without which they cannot see the Lord."

--John Wesley

Sunday..again

It's another Sunday night..only it's been forever since I last wrote. I just got home from church (9:30 pm) and should be in bed, but instead I am wound up, so I thought I would write. I must say though, that I'm not looking forward to my alarm going off at 5:30 tomorrow morning. It has been almost a year since I left my old church and I finally feel like I am beginning to get to know people. It is a good thing, because it's a little lonely when your church doesn't feel like it's your family. I find it fascinating that it is only when I am starting to get more involved in the church that I start to get to know people more. Perhaps that is a simple statement, but it is interesting none the less. Anyways, I'm conducting the chime choir at church and it is a real blessing. It is a lot of fun, and there is something special when the Lord allows you to serve in an area related to your everyday job. While it is a ministry in one sense of the word when I am teaching each day out in the world, but it is sweeter when you can use your skills among believers. Definitely a different ministry, but a very good reminder that we are not supposed to compartmentalize our lives. Jesus is present with us just as much in the workplace as He is with us in the church setting.

So anyways, it truly is a blessing as I become more involved at church to get to know people. I have no idea why the Lord has moved me and brought me to this particular church, but it is good to know that it has been for a reason and that there is a ministry in which I can be involved. So, one step at a time we travel the road that He has laid before us. I tend to think it is going to take me one direction, but He proves me wrong as I encounter various bends in the road unknown to me beforehand. Lord help us to have the grace to follow your lead as You travel with us on the journey.

Sunday

I think it's incredible how the Lord will bring us to a spot where we have to trust Him for His grace to make it through something and then seeing how He brings us through. This past week has been a whole week like that. For example..I sang at the afternoon service at church today, and by the looks of things, many things should've gone wrong--I'm congested and drinking water like its going out of style, my left thumb has been going numb on me when I play guitar, my guitar strings really should be changed, I was rather nervous...and so on. But His grace was sufficient and people were blessed by it, and that I find just amazing. So praise Him! In our weakness He is strong.

Friday Night

You know it's time to go to bed when, on a Friday night at 8:30 pm you discover that you put the ice cream away in the refrigerator, and later realize that you don't even recall putting the ice cream away.

Other scenarios from this past week that indicate the need for sleep include trying to use conditioner to wash my face and trying to make coffee without the filter in the coffee maker. Needless to say, that day I visited Starbucks for my morning coffee.

On that note, while it is still 8:30, I am going to try and make it safely into my bed for a (hopefully) good night's sleep.

A Rainy, Restful Day

So I had to cancel both of my things that I was supposed to do today because I seem to be coming down with a head cold. Not so fun, but at least its a Saturday. Well, that's the quick update, now I'm off to take a nap.