The Aftermath..."
You stand in the dim twilight, stunned to silence, oblivious to everything around you. As the fog begins to clear, the gravity of everything begins to set in. Looking around, all that's in sight is the tangled and twisted mess that made up life. The chaos that used to surround you, and be your constant companion, has given way to eire silence. The incessant movement and busyness has ceased, forcing you face the wreckage, that is your life. . . Or what's left of it. Where did this come from? Why? Everything that I've worked to build. Everything I've come to know. Why?
. . . Could that be the reason? Has it been all about me? Have I tried to take the reigns of my life and decide my fate? In that moment of silent surrender, that moment of stark realization, I sink to my knees in acknowledgment of His awesome power. It is here that I'm found, in the aftermath of His will. The aftermath of His calling. Amid the wreckage that has become my life, a still small voice simply whispers, "I Am here". In the broken, and in the hurting, I know that you're with me. Through the joy and the triumph, I know you're with me. No matter what the situation, I know your love will light the way. How can I stay here, subdued by the darkness around me, when His hand is stretched out. . . Reaching to pull me from the ashes. It is now that I finally see that Christ is, what Christ offers. Now I can see that the Aftermath . . . Is only the beginning . . .
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Thursday, February 3, 2011
"Welcome Home. . ."
"Home is where the heart is. . ." Such a great old saying that I haven't heard used much anymore. What is home? What does that even mean? Have we forgotten what home is, or where it is? Maybe with all the chaos that our lives are filled with, we have forgotten to remember the singular basic foundation that our lives are built upon. So home is where the heart is. . . But where is that? Is that back in our hometown? Where our family is? Maybe where our dreams will take us? What about where we are now? Does there have to be one place that you call home based on where your heart is at any given moment?
Change gears for just a second. . . Christ calls us to excel at whatever we do (Colossians 3:23 - The favorite verse of Christian educators worldwide - "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men"). He calls us to work with excellence, to reflect Him and who He is. He doesn't however, always call us to work, or serve Him in the the place that is most comfortable, or the most convenient for us. Should we then reject His standard, and do what He's called us to do, where He's called us to do it, with a begrudging attitude? Or should we then, taking up the cause of Christ, and denying ourselves, work wholeheartedly at what He's called us to? Ya see when that happens, and you put your whole heart into His calling. . .whether its being a senior pastor, or cleaning up after the senior social club. . . the place that God has called you to, becomes your home. Not your physical home, or even emotional home, but rather you begin to feel at home there. You begin to feel at home in the call that He has placed on your life . . . in this moment. It is then, that we truly become the temple of the Holy Spirit, its fullest essence. A follower of Christ, that not only verbally says he believes, but is actively living their belief out, in total and unreserved surrender - all to the glory of Jesus Christ. One that has put aside his/her own desires, and simply says, "Yes Lord". So. . . if home is where the heart is, and you are where God has placed you. . . .Then . . . . "Welcome Home".
Change gears for just a second. . . Christ calls us to excel at whatever we do (Colossians 3:23 - The favorite verse of Christian educators worldwide - "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men"). He calls us to work with excellence, to reflect Him and who He is. He doesn't however, always call us to work, or serve Him in the the place that is most comfortable, or the most convenient for us. Should we then reject His standard, and do what He's called us to do, where He's called us to do it, with a begrudging attitude? Or should we then, taking up the cause of Christ, and denying ourselves, work wholeheartedly at what He's called us to? Ya see when that happens, and you put your whole heart into His calling. . .whether its being a senior pastor, or cleaning up after the senior social club. . . the place that God has called you to, becomes your home. Not your physical home, or even emotional home, but rather you begin to feel at home there. You begin to feel at home in the call that He has placed on your life . . . in this moment. It is then, that we truly become the temple of the Holy Spirit, its fullest essence. A follower of Christ, that not only verbally says he believes, but is actively living their belief out, in total and unreserved surrender - all to the glory of Jesus Christ. One that has put aside his/her own desires, and simply says, "Yes Lord". So. . . if home is where the heart is, and you are where God has placed you. . . .Then . . . . "Welcome Home".
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
"The Time Has Come. . ."
Ladies and Gentlemen. I have made a stark realization! I have started this blog, and jumped headlong into the world of cyber information broadcasting without setting forth a very important piece of literature! The time has come to publish my Disclaimer! (wow that was a lot of exclamation points) Hmmm. . . .how to go about this? Well as the name implies, there will definitely be times of . . . rambling aimlessly. Sometimes the only way I can collect all my thoughts is to write them down, and occasionally this will be where I do that. So forgive me if sometimes I seem rather scatter-brained in my scribblings. For those of you who actually know me for real, there is absolutely nothing new (except now, no one can interrupt me. . .he he he)
I probably wont use the best grammar, as those in gavel club would be able to easily tell you, nor will I always use the correct punctuation. I use the ellipsis (. . . ) all the time. . .even in the wrong places. So, all this being said, if you are an avid grammarian that is offended by the slightest error, or possibly someone with with a deathly fear of randomness. . .read at your own risk! (to be said in a slightly creepy, overly dramatic, possibly english-ish accent) Anyway Thanks a lot ya'll.
. . . . oh yeah. . . I say "ya'll" too. . .
I probably wont use the best grammar, as those in gavel club would be able to easily tell you, nor will I always use the correct punctuation. I use the ellipsis (. . . ) all the time. . .even in the wrong places. So, all this being said, if you are an avid grammarian that is offended by the slightest error, or possibly someone with with a deathly fear of randomness. . .read at your own risk! (to be said in a slightly creepy, overly dramatic, possibly english-ish accent) Anyway Thanks a lot ya'll.
. . . . oh yeah. . . I say "ya'll" too. . .
Monday, January 31, 2011
"With Everything. . ."
Wow! If the first class is any indication of how this year is going to be, then this will be the most amazing year of school I've ever had! Yeah, Lee was great and the new experience of being out on my own was awesome. And sure North Greenville was amazing, getting to come home every weekend. But there is something about standing on the edge of an adventure, knowing that it will forever change your life, though you're not exactly sure how. There's the wonder and awe of the unknown mixed with the anticipation of the uncertain that has the potential to stir you to greatness, or subdue you to complacency. To stir you to the greatness God has called you to, through His grace, to the glory of His name. . . THE name. Or it can drive you to into the abject complacency that the devil has so perfectly planned for you to fall into. You can run, with everything, after His plan, with reckless abandon; or you can choose to stay in the comfortable realm of what is popular - conforming to the chaos around you. 2011 is a year of new beginnings . . . Which will you choose?
Sunday, January 30, 2011
"Journey. . ."
So once again I'm going back to the whole faithfulness of God thing. I just cant seem to get off of it. . . Theres something about knowing that there is something HUGE out there. A huge God with an incredibly large, all encompassing, inescapable plan. . . and knowing that I'm a part of it! You have no idea what role you play, but somehow there is an overwhelming sense of calm, knowing that wherever He leads, He'll be faithful to take care of you. Prefect example:
A couple days ago, Brandon and I took a bus up to Castle Towers (just one of the shopping centers outside Sydney) Getting there was no problem, we took one bus straight where we wanted to go. However, getting home was a different story. We were pretty sure that we were supposed to just jump on the same bus that we rode up on, and take that back home. But, as you can imagine, we wanted to just make extra sure. Hmmmm, who could we ask that would know. . . Ah hah! Another bus driver. So we found us a bus driver and asked him. Long story short, he said, Look just jump on with me and Ill get ya there, so jump on we did. And we rode all over the place, of course we had no idea where we were the whole time. Eventually, we get to the T-way (a dedicated bus road in Australia) and he tells us to get off, and that another bus would come and take us the rest of the way. Brandon and I, however, being the street-savy dudes that we are, decided to check the bus times (on the handy-dandy chart the bus service provided). Wonderful. . . the very helpful bus driver, had left us to wait for a bus that doesn't run on Saturday. . . it was Saturday! Ya know God, I really appreciate the help in trying to immerse us in the culture and teach us patience and everything, but its hot out here, I have no idea where I am, I wanna get home and Im tired. . . so a little help would be good, ya know. (Now pause real quick. First I wasn't that sarcastic, but it was still kinda frustrating. And secondly, ever since I got here, I've been hearing things about how "God will do amazing things in your life and provide for you just when you need it". Even about how as soon as you say "amen", God would show up. So I kinda had all this goin on in the back of my head)
Well theres nothin for it, we better start walkin'. . . .once we know where we're going. So we stop to ask directions. . .a totally logical thing to do in our situation. The first car we tried to flag down didnt even stop. The second car however, was a taxi van (Total AWESOMENESS!!) which did stop, but instead of offering directions, he waves for us to get in! Hmmmm. . . me being the suspicious foreigner that I am, and not knowing how their (very expensive) taxi service works, proceeded to assure the driver that we couldnt pay him, and that we just needed directions. To which he replied that he was off duty and headed in our direction anyway, and just to hop in anyway. WOW! Talk about a fast turn around time! This is just another example of how Gods faithfulness is amazing! I mean, not only did we get a ride home, but it was in a taxi that took us to our front door, instead of a bus stop 100 yards away! What an awesome God we serve, and what an amazing journey He's called us to. . .
A couple days ago, Brandon and I took a bus up to Castle Towers (just one of the shopping centers outside Sydney) Getting there was no problem, we took one bus straight where we wanted to go. However, getting home was a different story. We were pretty sure that we were supposed to just jump on the same bus that we rode up on, and take that back home. But, as you can imagine, we wanted to just make extra sure. Hmmmm, who could we ask that would know. . . Ah hah! Another bus driver. So we found us a bus driver and asked him. Long story short, he said, Look just jump on with me and Ill get ya there, so jump on we did. And we rode all over the place, of course we had no idea where we were the whole time. Eventually, we get to the T-way (a dedicated bus road in Australia) and he tells us to get off, and that another bus would come and take us the rest of the way. Brandon and I, however, being the street-savy dudes that we are, decided to check the bus times (on the handy-dandy chart the bus service provided). Wonderful. . . the very helpful bus driver, had left us to wait for a bus that doesn't run on Saturday. . . it was Saturday! Ya know God, I really appreciate the help in trying to immerse us in the culture and teach us patience and everything, but its hot out here, I have no idea where I am, I wanna get home and Im tired. . . so a little help would be good, ya know. (Now pause real quick. First I wasn't that sarcastic, but it was still kinda frustrating. And secondly, ever since I got here, I've been hearing things about how "God will do amazing things in your life and provide for you just when you need it". Even about how as soon as you say "amen", God would show up. So I kinda had all this goin on in the back of my head)
Well theres nothin for it, we better start walkin'. . . .once we know where we're going. So we stop to ask directions. . .a totally logical thing to do in our situation. The first car we tried to flag down didnt even stop. The second car however, was a taxi van (Total AWESOMENESS!!) which did stop, but instead of offering directions, he waves for us to get in! Hmmmm. . . me being the suspicious foreigner that I am, and not knowing how their (very expensive) taxi service works, proceeded to assure the driver that we couldnt pay him, and that we just needed directions. To which he replied that he was off duty and headed in our direction anyway, and just to hop in anyway. WOW! Talk about a fast turn around time! This is just another example of how Gods faithfulness is amazing! I mean, not only did we get a ride home, but it was in a taxi that took us to our front door, instead of a bus stop 100 yards away! What an awesome God we serve, and what an amazing journey He's called us to. . .
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Two Step. . .
Fast forward a year and 5 jobs later (all at one time), and my brother and I are on a plane headed off to a mystic and foreign land known as Australia. . .Down under. . .The Outback. . . .What the heck were we thinking?!? How in the world was I planning to pack my entire life into four suitcases, get on a plane and trade everything I've ever known for things I've only heard about? Good question. . . and the answer was about to show up faster than I expected.
Somehow I got packed and ready to roll (three cases filled to the brim with drums, and one suitcase of clothes. . . and one drum. Very practical I know), made it to the airport, and after saying goodbye to Mom and Dad, boarded the plane. Twenty-four hours later we landed safely in the beautiful, but seriously ozone-lacking city of Sydney Awesome! All thats left to do is collect our bags and . . . . wait what? Great, so here we are in a strange city and none of our luggage made it? Oh what a wonderful trip this is turning out to be some kind of adventure! I know that God calls us to some difficult situations sometimes, but at least let me get settled in first. . .
No such luck. Anyway, to make a long story short, 3 ish days later, we got all our luggage back. This was the first (of many) times that God would show His faithfulness to us, me particularly. I have always taken God at His word and believed that He is faithful, but thats mostly what it was. . .faith. I would hear mom and dad talk about it and hear pastors talk about the faithfulness of God, but didnt always obviously see it. Ive got a feeling that this adventure will change the way I look at His faithfulness. Like someone I know once said, things might not happen the way we think they should, but God is faithful and His plan is best whatever that looks like. . .
Somehow I got packed and ready to roll (three cases filled to the brim with drums, and one suitcase of clothes. . . and one drum. Very practical I know), made it to the airport, and after saying goodbye to Mom and Dad, boarded the plane. Twenty-four hours later we landed safely in the beautiful, but seriously ozone-lacking city of Sydney Awesome! All thats left to do is collect our bags and . . . . wait what? Great, so here we are in a strange city and none of our luggage made it? Oh what a wonderful trip this is turning out to be some kind of adventure! I know that God calls us to some difficult situations sometimes, but at least let me get settled in first. . .
No such luck. Anyway, to make a long story short, 3 ish days later, we got all our luggage back. This was the first (of many) times that God would show His faithfulness to us, me particularly. I have always taken God at His word and believed that He is faithful, but thats mostly what it was. . .faith. I would hear mom and dad talk about it and hear pastors talk about the faithfulness of God, but didnt always obviously see it. Ive got a feeling that this adventure will change the way I look at His faithfulness. Like someone I know once said, things might not happen the way we think they should, but God is faithful and His plan is best whatever that looks like. . .
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Square One. . .
Hey Ya'll. . . .
and yes I did just say ya'll (I'm trying to indoctrinate Australia with Southern culture. We'll see how that goes). Well this is the first blog that I've ever done, so I'm totally clueless as to how this whole thing works. Anyway, this blog is intended to chronicle the my journey, not just to Hillsong International Leadership College in Sydney Australia, but the live journey that God is getting ready to take me on over the next few years.
So the story starts many years ago . . . the day I fell in love with playing drums (and you think Giligan's Island involved a fateful trip). So I started diving into this wonderful world of music and percussion and have never looked back, taking every opportunity I could to play, mostly because it was fun. But thats not what music is about, and more importantly thats not what worship music is about. Worship is about giving our praise and glory to God (but more on that later). Anyway, as I kept playing for our church, a passion for something other than just smacking wooden tubes began to develop. . . a passion for worship. Soon after that, I felt God start to call me to music . . . no idea how or where just to go. I didn't mind the idea, except for a few things. So I had this conversation with God:
God: .......
Me: Yeah, that sounds like it could be fun but. . .
God: But what?
Me: Well ya see, I'm quite the outdoors kinda guy, so I dont mind living in a tent for the rest of the foreseeable future. . .
God: . . And this has what to do with music?
Me: Hmmmm, well I guess you haven't seen a musicians paycheck lately, we don't make a lot of money. . .just about enough to buy a nice tent.
God: Ok. . . .
Me: Well I'd maybe like to get married someday, and Ive heard that girls like a little more security than 4 canvas walls. . .you had to make em like that . . .
God: *Silence*
After that part God was pretty quiet, so I figured I must have convinced Him and brought Him over to see my point of view. So with this idea, I graduated high school, packed my stuff up and headed to Lee University. . .to get a business degree. Not exactly what I had in mind for happy exciting life, but what I figured would pay the bills and provide something for a family someday. As it turns out, I wasnt supposed to be at Lee, so I transferred to North Greenville University. This school was much closer to home, and I had a car by this point, so I was able to come home every weekend, and keep playing music at church. One thing led to another, and before I knew it I was sitting at Passion 2010 in Atlanta having another conversation with God. By the way, this is the very short version of this story. . . . So this second conversation went something like this:
God: You still aren't listening. . .
Me: I thought we already had this settled. . .
God: Nope.
Me: *sigh* well my argument is still the same
God: Yup, so's mine. . .but your argument is based on a false assumption.
Me: Oh really? . . . And whats that?
God: What girl are you planning your life around? You're not married, not engaged, not in a relationship, not nothin'. . . So you're planning your life around someone that I haven't shown you yet. . .but that aside, if I call you to do something, don't you think Ill provide for you. . .and your as-of-yet-nonexistant wife.
Me: *Silence*
God: Thats what I thought
Once again I brilliantly put my foot in my mouth. God had won (as usual) and I now knew what I needed to do. . . I just had no idea how to go about doing it. After much prayer and research, I finally settled on Hillsong International Leadership College. That was when the real journey began. . . .
and yes I did just say ya'll (I'm trying to indoctrinate Australia with Southern culture. We'll see how that goes). Well this is the first blog that I've ever done, so I'm totally clueless as to how this whole thing works. Anyway, this blog is intended to chronicle the my journey, not just to Hillsong International Leadership College in Sydney Australia, but the live journey that God is getting ready to take me on over the next few years.
So the story starts many years ago . . . the day I fell in love with playing drums (and you think Giligan's Island involved a fateful trip). So I started diving into this wonderful world of music and percussion and have never looked back, taking every opportunity I could to play, mostly because it was fun. But thats not what music is about, and more importantly thats not what worship music is about. Worship is about giving our praise and glory to God (but more on that later). Anyway, as I kept playing for our church, a passion for something other than just smacking wooden tubes began to develop. . . a passion for worship. Soon after that, I felt God start to call me to music . . . no idea how or where just to go. I didn't mind the idea, except for a few things. So I had this conversation with God:
God: .......
Me: Yeah, that sounds like it could be fun but. . .
God: But what?
Me: Well ya see, I'm quite the outdoors kinda guy, so I dont mind living in a tent for the rest of the foreseeable future. . .
God: . . And this has what to do with music?
Me: Hmmmm, well I guess you haven't seen a musicians paycheck lately, we don't make a lot of money. . .just about enough to buy a nice tent.
God: Ok. . . .
Me: Well I'd maybe like to get married someday, and Ive heard that girls like a little more security than 4 canvas walls. . .you had to make em like that . . .
God: *Silence*
After that part God was pretty quiet, so I figured I must have convinced Him and brought Him over to see my point of view. So with this idea, I graduated high school, packed my stuff up and headed to Lee University. . .to get a business degree. Not exactly what I had in mind for happy exciting life, but what I figured would pay the bills and provide something for a family someday. As it turns out, I wasnt supposed to be at Lee, so I transferred to North Greenville University. This school was much closer to home, and I had a car by this point, so I was able to come home every weekend, and keep playing music at church. One thing led to another, and before I knew it I was sitting at Passion 2010 in Atlanta having another conversation with God. By the way, this is the very short version of this story. . . . So this second conversation went something like this:
God: You still aren't listening. . .
Me: I thought we already had this settled. . .
God: Nope.
Me: *sigh* well my argument is still the same
God: Yup, so's mine. . .but your argument is based on a false assumption.
Me: Oh really? . . . And whats that?
God: What girl are you planning your life around? You're not married, not engaged, not in a relationship, not nothin'. . . So you're planning your life around someone that I haven't shown you yet. . .but that aside, if I call you to do something, don't you think Ill provide for you. . .and your as-of-yet-nonexistant wife.
Me: *Silence*
God: Thats what I thought
Once again I brilliantly put my foot in my mouth. God had won (as usual) and I now knew what I needed to do. . . I just had no idea how to go about doing it. After much prayer and research, I finally settled on Hillsong International Leadership College. That was when the real journey began. . . .
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