Just got home a couple hours ago from another great weekend retreat where I was able to speak to approx 80 people about the great God that we have! I will be honest, I am extremely tired, but I am so thankful for the weekend that we had. I am thankful for:
25. safety at camp
26. some rest
27. great weekend
28. many volunteers who serve the Woodside Youth
29. Conestoga Bible Camp
30. Directors and hosts of camp
31. volunteers at camp
32. NEW LIFE IN CHRIST this weekend at camp
33. Message of freedom grasped by many
34. Our Father's acceptance
35. Christ living in us
36. the gift of righteousness
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Sunday, January 15, 2012
I'll Bring You More Than a Song ...
Once again, I have learned a lesson and am so thankful to how Father speaks to me.
It was my turn to take part on the worship team at church; and this time I was going to sing not play keyboard. I had been fighting a bad cold for several days, and in fact Mon.,Tues.,and Wed I hardly had a voice at all. I cancelled most of my appointments for a couple days and stayed quiet (well as quiet as one can be while barking loudly in a cough).
Lately, I have been wondering where I fit within our little church. The role where I used to be involved, has been filled with staff, and the role where I had been asked to consider leading in, doesnt work well with my other ministry responsibilities at work. So, this fall I have been slowly working my way back into the worship team. I walked forward slowly, with no committment, as I continued to seek Father and ask Him if this is what He wanted, or do I continue to just rest and wait to hear further "direction".
I had been so wrapped up in doing things "right" that I have been missing what it was really about. So, Thursday morning I was praying and I asked Father to show me clearly if He wanted me to be part of this week's team. (Up until then, I had no voice to contribute). By the end of Thursday at work, I had felt that I should go to practice regardless; (as I could offer to play keyboard if I had no voice and if that was a need).
I get to practice and I had a singing voice!! It was close to normal - totally amazing! I still coughed in between songs, but my voice was back. And while that was pretty cool to experienc, the best part was to come later in the practice.
Our worship pastor asked if I would like to lead "The Heart of Worship" or perhaps better known to you as "After the Music Fades".
When I started singing, immediately my heart began to beat faster and faster. As I was singing I realized that this song was exactly what I needed to sing. Not just to sing, but to hear, to sing and to confess.
I had allowed pleasing people, inner voices, pride to get in the way. Essentially, I had allowed self doubt and the voice of "Jester" to take away my joy and my song (sigh, once again ... ) .
21.Thank you Father for second chances.
22. Thank you Father for speaking to me so clearly and lovingly.
23. Thank you Father for new friends in Christ to worship with.
24. Thank you Father for our new Worship Pastor.
I'm sorry Lord for what I made it - for its all about you!
I'll bring you more than a song!
Til Next Time,
Jacqueline
It was my turn to take part on the worship team at church; and this time I was going to sing not play keyboard. I had been fighting a bad cold for several days, and in fact Mon.,Tues.,and Wed I hardly had a voice at all. I cancelled most of my appointments for a couple days and stayed quiet (well as quiet as one can be while barking loudly in a cough).
Lately, I have been wondering where I fit within our little church. The role where I used to be involved, has been filled with staff, and the role where I had been asked to consider leading in, doesnt work well with my other ministry responsibilities at work. So, this fall I have been slowly working my way back into the worship team. I walked forward slowly, with no committment, as I continued to seek Father and ask Him if this is what He wanted, or do I continue to just rest and wait to hear further "direction".
I had been so wrapped up in doing things "right" that I have been missing what it was really about. So, Thursday morning I was praying and I asked Father to show me clearly if He wanted me to be part of this week's team. (Up until then, I had no voice to contribute). By the end of Thursday at work, I had felt that I should go to practice regardless; (as I could offer to play keyboard if I had no voice and if that was a need).
I get to practice and I had a singing voice!! It was close to normal - totally amazing! I still coughed in between songs, but my voice was back. And while that was pretty cool to experienc, the best part was to come later in the practice.
Our worship pastor asked if I would like to lead "The Heart of Worship" or perhaps better known to you as "After the Music Fades".
When I started singing, immediately my heart began to beat faster and faster. As I was singing I realized that this song was exactly what I needed to sing. Not just to sing, but to hear, to sing and to confess.
I had allowed pleasing people, inner voices, pride to get in the way. Essentially, I had allowed self doubt and the voice of "Jester" to take away my joy and my song (sigh, once again ... ) .
21.Thank you Father for second chances.
22. Thank you Father for speaking to me so clearly and lovingly.
23. Thank you Father for new friends in Christ to worship with.
24. Thank you Father for our new Worship Pastor.
I'm sorry Lord for what I made it - for its all about you!
I'll bring you more than a song!
Til Next Time,
Jacqueline
Saturday, January 14, 2012
My Hopes for 2012
As I sit down to write this first blog entry for 2012, I reread some of my previous posts with a few questions on my mind about last year. Did I meet my goals? Was I open to what God was doing? Do I continue to struggle in the same areas or has there been healing? and, most importantly, do I know Jesus more?
To answer some of those questions, no, yes, somewhat, yes and I think so.:)
My weight continues to be a struggle, although there has been great gain in the bigger picture of my health, understanding things better and knowing who I am and why I do what I do.
DO I trust more? Yes. I have made choices to trust, and before that could happen I had to realize that ultimately, there is nothing man (or woman) can do to me; for I am okay. Do I continue to struggle to walk upright always? Yes, but it becomes less and less of a struggle; and its funny how it all comes back to trust and walking in my TRUE identity. Knowing who I am, and being, doing for an audience of one!
A friend of mine is making 2012 the year of surrender. While I am always learning more and more about being in the state of surrender; I think for me, I am purposing that 2012 is going to be about being thankful. Finding at least one thing every day to be thankful for.
It's not about covering up difficult circumstances that are harder to be thankful for; but rather, in the midst of those circumstances choosing to be thankful anyways.
So, as I write this - it is Jan 13th. My list of being thankful begins today. Today I am thankful for ...
1. quiet Saturday mornings at home
2. truth and honesty spoken in love
3. silly laughs and conversations with my son about the differences between men and women
4. a small balance in the bank account when by my counting should be at zero
5. money to get new tires before snow hits hard
6. a son who loves Jesus more than anything
7. for forgiveness
8. for the wisdom of doctors, dentists and other medical professionals
9. for pastors and many others who wants to see people's lives change with the love and life of Jesus
10. for a church family who didnt give up and is not afraid to try something new
11. for a beautiful home and a border to help cover the rent
12. for the peace that comes with knowing whatever happens, God has what is best, planned for me
13. for knowing that I don't have to have all the answers
14. for being on staff at a ministry who supplied a new laptop for my use
15. for the gift of music
16. for family and friends who care enough to get to know the real me
17. for the ability to dream
18. for tears
19. for God's word as a guidemap to the lover of my soul
20. for being a new creation and having new beginnings
To answer some of those questions, no, yes, somewhat, yes and I think so.:)
My weight continues to be a struggle, although there has been great gain in the bigger picture of my health, understanding things better and knowing who I am and why I do what I do.
DO I trust more? Yes. I have made choices to trust, and before that could happen I had to realize that ultimately, there is nothing man (or woman) can do to me; for I am okay. Do I continue to struggle to walk upright always? Yes, but it becomes less and less of a struggle; and its funny how it all comes back to trust and walking in my TRUE identity. Knowing who I am, and being, doing for an audience of one!
A friend of mine is making 2012 the year of surrender. While I am always learning more and more about being in the state of surrender; I think for me, I am purposing that 2012 is going to be about being thankful. Finding at least one thing every day to be thankful for.
It's not about covering up difficult circumstances that are harder to be thankful for; but rather, in the midst of those circumstances choosing to be thankful anyways.
So, as I write this - it is Jan 13th. My list of being thankful begins today. Today I am thankful for ...
1. quiet Saturday mornings at home
2. truth and honesty spoken in love
3. silly laughs and conversations with my son about the differences between men and women
4. a small balance in the bank account when by my counting should be at zero
5. money to get new tires before snow hits hard
6. a son who loves Jesus more than anything
7. for forgiveness
8. for the wisdom of doctors, dentists and other medical professionals
9. for pastors and many others who wants to see people's lives change with the love and life of Jesus
10. for a church family who didnt give up and is not afraid to try something new
11. for a beautiful home and a border to help cover the rent
12. for the peace that comes with knowing whatever happens, God has what is best, planned for me
13. for knowing that I don't have to have all the answers
14. for being on staff at a ministry who supplied a new laptop for my use
15. for the gift of music
16. for family and friends who care enough to get to know the real me
17. for the ability to dream
18. for tears
19. for God's word as a guidemap to the lover of my soul
20. for being a new creation and having new beginnings
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