Rule #1

When you really think about it, there's no point in "getting used to it".  You just live it.

When she comes, she'll just pass you by; unless, you seize the moment and create your own opportunity.

Summon the Big Balls.



Balls to the Wall.

I don't care. My dog is cuter than yours.

One of God's greatest gifts - life's simplest pleasure.

You Put A Spell On Me

I'm finding myself missing you for no apparent reason.  It's like a part of me has lost itself in you, which isn't really true, but, still, the feeling still lingers on like the smell of a bonfire in your laundry basket after a night at the beach.
















Maybe we should sit down and converse a bit just to see how life has been strolling by.  I'll make you a steaming latte pulling ristretto espresso shots so you don't taste much of the bitterness in coffee. Unless, you like the bitterness in coffee like I do.  I'll even pour the contents into a nice, but not overly luxuriant, ceramic mug that says, "I love white people" on it just to make it a conversation starter.

Or not.

Maybe.  Ahh forget it.

I'd rather surf.

She Is A Thing Of Beauty

She has her own rules you need to play by because they aren't man-made.  There's no room for rebellion.

No Shadow Of Turning

There is nothing like the sweet smell of ocean salt when you breathe hot air against your skin. The smell itself is not like a heavenly bliss where one would want to bathe in; however, the reminiscence of what brought in such a fragrance is.  Bliss.  

It has been a little over a year since I began my endeavor into the cool, rad, better-than-hipster, an-activity-that-gets-the-elderly-ladies, world of surfing. 

I evolved.  

I've seen the results of my metamorphosis this past week.  From surfing a 9 foot longboard to a 6 foot short-board, how could I not?  I am able to walk closer and closer to the tip of a longboard going up and down a glassy wave.  So glassy you can see your reflection on it. 

And in that moment of reflection, you begin to realize a little bit more what kind of power the ocean can have on your eyes.  

Even staring at a looming mound of water so beautifully shaped is something words cannot express.  On one end there's excitement.  And on the other, depending on how big it is, terror.  It isn't so much a terror that makes you want to runaway, rather, it adds to the rush factor, the excitement, the stoke, and the gravity of what lies down that wave:  Joy.

-----

It has been a little over a month, one and a half to be exact, since I began my step of faith into broadening my horizon of what ministry is.

I'm changing.

I've seen how relationships are affected by the community (can I say 'church'?) that you're in, or not in, during this short amount of time.  From serving a church for 8+ years to not being plugged into a community with accountability, how could I not?  I feel like I'm being tossed by the waves of temptation and the only thing keeping me afloat is the surfboard of conscience (yeah, I had to toss that in there).  

And in that moment of temptation waging war with your conscience, you begin to realize what a wretched soul you really are.

Even musing on the decision that I've made to say my adieus, I know...I know everything has changed.  On one end there's rest.  And on the other,  depending on how I fair upon this pilgrim's progress, fear.  It isn't so much a fear that makes me want to avert my resolve, rather, it adds to the understanding of my dependence on God's mercies, the strength that comes when you wait upon the Lord, the discipline it takes to shine His light, and the reward that awaits at the end of this narrow path: Joy.

There is a warm chorus being sung in my heart in spite of trials, faithlessness, or even change.

So, will you join me?

Great is Thy Faithfulness, O God my Father

 There is no shadow of turning with Thee

Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not

 As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Great is Thy Faithfulness

 Great is Thy Faithfulness

Morning by morning new mercies I see

 All I have needed Thy hand hath provided-

Great is Thy Faithfulness, Lord, unto me...

Step One: Food For Thought and Boy Was I Hungry.

Perhaps, it's starting to hit me.  Maybe this leave was a good thing.  No...I know it was.

A ministry should never define who you are.

You were not a small group leader because you were one in a ministry.  Nor were you a college core leader because you were one in a ministry.  And, to the most tender part of my heart, you were not a praise leader because a ministry had defined you as one.

No.

You are who you are because of who and what the Holy Spirit has done in your life and will continue to do.

The challenge that be faces me now is: will I live up to the same standards, if not higher, as a praise leader off the stage as opposed to being on it?

It's easy to live a life shining bright for Christ when the limelight is on you.  ~Shining ~Shimmering. ~Splen~~did.  Oops...wrong context. Amen. I mean...Ahem.

Enough with my failed attempt for a comic relief.  On to the point I'm trying to make:

It's easy to live a life shining bright for Christ when the limelight is on you, when accountability and community is at your door step; and when you're on the email list of a leadership thread replying to the next big event or retreat or prayer meeting or missions meeting or any other church meeting you can think about.  And, to this I can confidently say: when the limelight is on, it is easier said and it isn't as bad carrying it out.

Jesus once said, "You are the light of the world.  A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house."

If my light isn't shining in this dark world, it's because I put a bowl over it.
If I put a bowl over my light its because I'm to ashamed to give light to the One who lives in my house, my body...His temple...in order to expose Him to everyone who sees.

To expose Jesus to the world and the world be exposed by Jesus.

The wisest and most foolish thing about this whole undertaking--and no this is not a contradiction-- is that in God's wisdom He designed for His Glory, Honor, Praise, His very SON to be exposed by the most foolish of people. UndeservingPowerlessBlemishedWeak. Human beings.

Crazy isn't it?  For a person like you and me to bring Glory, Honor, and Praise to the One and True Living, Omnibenevolent God?  For a person like you and me undertaking a daunting, yet most undeserving, privilege of showing the world to Jesus and Jesus to the world?


If you happen to fall, Romans 8:1 yourself for crying out loud.  Pick yourself up and keep going.


A ministry should never define who you are.  


However,

how you walk in step with the Holy Spirit on a daily basis...will.