Last night I was talking with my brother-in-law, sharing the good news of my consecration interview with him and exclaiming, "I had so much fun in there!" He laughed and said, "wow, that isn't usually the response that I hear from people who go through the ordination/consecration process..." And this comment is all too true.
I have been in interviews like this before, I went through one to become a candidate for International Ministries, and I remember feeling intimidated. And it was hard to just "relax" and express what is truly in your mind and heart when you feel the "pressure to perform." But this time, it was far different.
The difference...prayer.Absolutely. I had a great support team interceding for me here in longview and around the country and even overseas! How beautiful. But also before I went into this I went before the Lord and I said, "Jesus, I am not going in there unless you go before and stand with me. It's you and me. Let's go." Peace consumed me. In the presence of the Lord there is fullness of joy. I loved sitting in that room with these men sharing what I believe about the Lord and happily referring to scriptures that have been etched on my heart (partly due to 7 years of Bible Quizzing-being drilled on scripture-thank you Tom and Jim!) since I was a little girl.
There was a seriousness to the interview, but we were able to laugh and make jokes together as well. And later they expressed their thanks for the enjoyment they had, often it can be stressful for them as well...so they welcomed the refreshing time that we all had together.
After all the questioning was over, they called me back in to welcome me into the family of the Southwestern district as a fully consecrated and approved woman in the ministry. Then they gathered around me to pray over me. And something changed in that moment-I can't explain it, but I sense something has happened in my spirit-like God has just added me as a pillar in the house of the Lord and that is so humbling to consider.
His Grace flows down and covers me.
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Thursday, July 29, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
An appointed Time for Everything
So, as you can see, I am making some changes to my blog. There are several reasons for these changes...
1. I like to change things around-in some things I am a creature of habit, but in others I really enjoy adding new dimensions. This is one of those, and I get to put my creativity to good use, so this is my outlet!
2. I am heading into some unknown times...for example: How much longer will I be in Longview, TX? Is this the year that transitions me to international work? If so, what country am I being prepared for? What exactly will I be doing? If not, what does God have up his sleeve for me? (And some of the more honest questions being:God, how much longer are you going to make me wait for the fulfillment of the vision & desire YOU put in me????? How many more doors will be closed before the right one opens up? Could you at least open a window so I can get a glimpse of what is ahead? Please?")-Come on folks, let's be honest...we all have questions deep down just like this, don't we? ;)
3. And it is these questions that propelled me to change the name of my blog from Skies of Texas to Paths Uncharted. I don't know what lies ahead of me, and how bumpy the road may be, if there will be anyone else on that journey with me or if I'll have to continue to walk it alone, what valleys or mountains I may experience as I go, or who I will become in the process. The road ahead is uncharted. It's territory I've never walked before. But even though it's never been walked by me, the way has already been made straight by my Father. He has gone before me to make my way straight in the wilderness, and no matter if I am alone or not, He promises always to be by my side and my rear guard. I just need to trust him with all of my heart and not give in to the temptation to lean on what my mind understands or doesn't understand. His ways are higher than mine as are His thoughts.
All of this reminds me of a verse God gave me for leading worship this past Sunday:
"Thus says the Lord,
Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind and makes flesh His strength, and whose heart turns away from the Lord.
For he will be like a bush in the desert and will not see when prosperity comes
But will live in stony wastes in the wilderness; a land of salt without inhabitant.
But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose trust IS the Lord
For he will be like a tree planted by the water, that extends its roots by a stream
and will not fear when the heat comes; but its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought nor cease to yield fruit."
_Jeremiah 17:5-8
Wow, as I write it I realize how much this verse pertains to me in the current state of my heart and mind. I long to be the latter; may it never be that I take the way of the cursed man.
As the psalmist prays, so I pray:
"Lord, when you said 'Seek my face', my heart said to you O Lord, 'Your face I shall seek...teach me Your way O Lord, and lead me in a level path." ~Psalm 27:8,11
1. I like to change things around-in some things I am a creature of habit, but in others I really enjoy adding new dimensions. This is one of those, and I get to put my creativity to good use, so this is my outlet!
2. I am heading into some unknown times...for example: How much longer will I be in Longview, TX? Is this the year that transitions me to international work? If so, what country am I being prepared for? What exactly will I be doing? If not, what does God have up his sleeve for me? (And some of the more honest questions being:God, how much longer are you going to make me wait for the fulfillment of the vision & desire YOU put in me????? How many more doors will be closed before the right one opens up? Could you at least open a window so I can get a glimpse of what is ahead? Please?")-Come on folks, let's be honest...we all have questions deep down just like this, don't we? ;)
3. And it is these questions that propelled me to change the name of my blog from Skies of Texas to Paths Uncharted. I don't know what lies ahead of me, and how bumpy the road may be, if there will be anyone else on that journey with me or if I'll have to continue to walk it alone, what valleys or mountains I may experience as I go, or who I will become in the process. The road ahead is uncharted. It's territory I've never walked before. But even though it's never been walked by me, the way has already been made straight by my Father. He has gone before me to make my way straight in the wilderness, and no matter if I am alone or not, He promises always to be by my side and my rear guard. I just need to trust him with all of my heart and not give in to the temptation to lean on what my mind understands or doesn't understand. His ways are higher than mine as are His thoughts.
All of this reminds me of a verse God gave me for leading worship this past Sunday:
"Thus says the Lord,
Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind and makes flesh His strength, and whose heart turns away from the Lord.
For he will be like a bush in the desert and will not see when prosperity comes
But will live in stony wastes in the wilderness; a land of salt without inhabitant.
But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose trust IS the Lord
For he will be like a tree planted by the water, that extends its roots by a stream
and will not fear when the heat comes; but its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought nor cease to yield fruit."
_Jeremiah 17:5-8
Wow, as I write it I realize how much this verse pertains to me in the current state of my heart and mind. I long to be the latter; may it never be that I take the way of the cursed man.
As the psalmist prays, so I pray:
"Lord, when you said 'Seek my face', my heart said to you O Lord, 'Your face I shall seek...teach me Your way O Lord, and lead me in a level path." ~Psalm 27:8,11
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