I got home way too late from a family party to write anything that would be remotely coherent! So, here is my Saturday edition.
The day started out with everyone dragging a bit. Late nights, and busy days- all great things but they take their toll. But, soon we were off to morning worship. The worship was focused around the ordination of clergy, deacons, and elders. The Bishop led the service and shared the message- "But if not". He said he hope things all went well and gave examples and then ended with "but if not..." He hope we continued our ministry, we understood God's call, etc. He shared a touching story of a boy with cancer who said he hoped he beat his cancer. But if not, he hope it got parents to hug their kids tighter that night, to love them and appreciate each moment more. He shared it better than that- in a way that couldn't help but impact everyone. Basically, it was a different way of saying the same thing I try to live by. God has a path. We have ideas and things we want for our lives... but if not, we need to remember that God has a plan. It was a wonderful message of hope and encouragement!
Ironically, when I read what the sermon title was going to be, my mind went in a totally different direction. I assumed the sentence would be "But if not me, then who?" In my mind, it totally fit with the service of ordination and answering God's call and making that commitment. So, as they were reading names before the sermon, my mind wandered to that sentence. I looked back and remembered my first days in youth ministry at the church I'm at. I never intended at that time to go into full time youth ministry. It had been something I thought I was being called to years before. But, since then, I had kind of put that to the side. But, the church was without a youth leader and I heard they were not going to do a 30 hour famine because there was nobody to chaperone it. Since my son had not been able to do it the year before I didn't want him to not do it. So, I said "But if not me, then who?" And that's where it all began. And today, I was up on the stage taking offering during Annual Conference, hoping I wouldn't trip in front of all of the people there. But, enjoying every moment of the conference and proud to be a part of it!
The service ended with inviting anyone who felt called into ministry to come forward. I knew several who went down. I'm praying they answer the call and follow the path God has chosen for them.
So where was God today? I feel I got a bonus! I got 2 great messages from the morning worship- the one God gave the Bishop to share, and the one He gave me to remind me where I started and where I am, and to look forward to what's next!
Isaiah 6:8
Jennifer
The day started out with everyone dragging a bit. Late nights, and busy days- all great things but they take their toll. But, soon we were off to morning worship. The worship was focused around the ordination of clergy, deacons, and elders. The Bishop led the service and shared the message- "But if not". He said he hope things all went well and gave examples and then ended with "but if not..." He hope we continued our ministry, we understood God's call, etc. He shared a touching story of a boy with cancer who said he hoped he beat his cancer. But if not, he hope it got parents to hug their kids tighter that night, to love them and appreciate each moment more. He shared it better than that- in a way that couldn't help but impact everyone. Basically, it was a different way of saying the same thing I try to live by. God has a path. We have ideas and things we want for our lives... but if not, we need to remember that God has a plan. It was a wonderful message of hope and encouragement!
Ironically, when I read what the sermon title was going to be, my mind went in a totally different direction. I assumed the sentence would be "But if not me, then who?" In my mind, it totally fit with the service of ordination and answering God's call and making that commitment. So, as they were reading names before the sermon, my mind wandered to that sentence. I looked back and remembered my first days in youth ministry at the church I'm at. I never intended at that time to go into full time youth ministry. It had been something I thought I was being called to years before. But, since then, I had kind of put that to the side. But, the church was without a youth leader and I heard they were not going to do a 30 hour famine because there was nobody to chaperone it. Since my son had not been able to do it the year before I didn't want him to not do it. So, I said "But if not me, then who?" And that's where it all began. And today, I was up on the stage taking offering during Annual Conference, hoping I wouldn't trip in front of all of the people there. But, enjoying every moment of the conference and proud to be a part of it!
The service ended with inviting anyone who felt called into ministry to come forward. I knew several who went down. I'm praying they answer the call and follow the path God has chosen for them.
So where was God today? I feel I got a bonus! I got 2 great messages from the morning worship- the one God gave the Bishop to share, and the one He gave me to remind me where I started and where I am, and to look forward to what's next!
Isaiah 6:8
New International Version (NIV)
8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us? ”
And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
Blessings,And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
Jennifer
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